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A journalist for the Daily Telegraph, Allison Pearson, will not face further action from Essex Police following an investigation into a social media post. The force previously visited Pearson’s home to arrange a time for an interview as part of an investigation into alleged incitement to racial hatred, which followed a complaint from a member of the public. Pearson had said she was left “dumbstruck” by the visit, which took place on Remembrance Sunday.
“The police are acting properly”, said an Essex Police spokesperson. “We’re sometimes faced with allegations of crime where people have strong opposing views. That’s why we work so hard to remain impartial and to investigate allegations, regardless of where they might lead.” The force has concluded that “there will be no further action,” after being advised that no charges should be brought from the Crown Prosecution Service.
Chief Constable BJ Harrington has instructed the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Hate Crime Lead Chief Constable Mark Hobrough “to conduct an independent review of the force’s handling of this matter and he has agreed”. Essex Police said that the investigation was closed, but that there will be an independent review of the force’s handling of the matter.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Roger Hirst, said that “it was important the public have confidence in their police service. This investigation has caused significant distress for Ms Pearson and a large amount of public concern. It has raised a number of important questions that need to be addressed so all of us can be confident the police are acting properly.”
Pearson publicised the police visit after writing an article where she claimed the officers told her the complaint was for a “non-crime hate incident”, but she was not informed which post it was connected to. Essex Police have stated that body cam footage did not show that the officers ever told Pearson that the report was for a “non-crime hate incident”. A non-crime hate incident refers to a scenario where no criminal offence has been committed, but the person reporting the incident believes it to be motivated by hostility
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