In a major victory for the Free Speech Union, retired special constable Julian Foulkes has been awarded £20,000 in compensation after Kent Police unlawfully arrested him over a tweet warning about rising antisemitism. The Telegraphhas the story.
Julian Foulkes, from Gillingham, Kent, was handcuffed at his home by six officers after replying to a pro-Palestinian activist on X. …
In the post, sent two days before police visited his home, Mr Foulkes wrote: “One step away from storming Heathrow looking for Jewish arrivals…”
Kent Police officers searched his home and commented on his “very Brexity” book collection. The force detained the 71 year-old for eight hours, interrogated and issued him with a caution after officers visited his home on Nov 2 2023.
Earlier this month, Kent Police confirmed that the caution was a mistake and had been deleted from Mr Foulkes’s record.
Tim Smith, the force’s chief constable, later phoned Mr Foulkes personally to offer an apology for the “ordeal he endured”.
Now, in a letter sent to Mr Foulkes’ solicitors, the force reiterated Mr Smith’s apology for the “distress caused by the actions of his officers” .
It also confirmed Kent Police would agree to an out-of-court settlement after Mr Foulkes launched a legal challenge, supported by the Free Speech Union (FSU), against the force for wrongful arrest and detention.
The letter, sent by a lawyer for the force, read: “I am instructed to accept the offer of early resolution without recourse to litigation by payment of compensation in the sum of £20,000 plus your client’s reasonable legal fees in full and final settlement of all prospective claims arising from his arrest on November 2nd 2023.”
Mr Foulkes told the Telegraph he was “naturally pleased that Kent Police had been swift to follow their apology with compensation”.
“However, this was never about money,” he said.
“For me, it was a simple matter of right and wrong and I now need to see that the full investigation I have been promised takes place and necessary actions are taken to prevent any recurrence.”
On Friday, Kent Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over the incident.
Mr Foulkes added: “I have been very fortunate in receiving superb assistance from the FSU and I would like to thank them once again for their help and support.” …
Dr Bryn Harris, chief legal counsel for the FSU, said: “The [FSU] is pleased to see that Kent Police has done the right thing and apologised to Julian, with due compensation.
“This is, however, merely the end of the beginning – we now need to see a full and credible investigation into the outrageous violations of Julian’s basic freedoms.
“Kent Police must ensure that the distress to Julian, and the cost to the taxpayer, result in lessons learnt and a realisation that policing by consent requires a police service worthy of the consent of free citizens.”
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