Police have apologised for investigating a Newcastle United fan who was banned by the club over trans-critical posts on social media. The Telegraphhas the story.
Northumbria Police have told Linzi Smith that crucial elements of their investigation into claims she had committed a hate crime were not acceptable.
It said that while there was no misconduct by its officers, the way they handled her case and similar hate crime reports in future should be subject to further training.
Ms Smith, 34, was accused of being transphobic by a complainant who told Newcastle United that trans people would not feel safe sitting near her.
The 34 year-old, who is gay and promotes lesbian, bisexual and women’s rights, had posted tweets in which she suggested that pro-transgender activism was homophobic because it wanted to “trans the gay away” and that some trans people were suffering from mental illness. …
It’s like they’re trying to trans the gay away.
You’re a young woman who likes sport? YOU’VE BEEN BORN IN THE WRONG BODY!!!!
you’re a young man who likes makeup and dressing up??? YOU’VE BEEN BORN IN THE WRONG BODY!!!!
Ms Smith said that she had been shocked to learn a hate crime investigation had been opened against her and was invited to attend a police interview under caution in November 2023. …
In her complaint to Northumbria Police, Ms Smith said she had been made to feel distressed and intimidated by the officers investigating the case. …
Ms Smith says she was told by Newcastle United that it had taken the decision to suspend her membership as a result of the police investigation into her social media posts. …
In a letter to Ms Smith responding to her complaints, the force has now apologised for what she went through. …
The force also found that officers had not considered carefully enough whether there was any crime at all that needed investigating before deciding to interview Ms Smith under caution. …
The force said that complaints arising out of people feeling offended by the expression of someone’s views were likely to become more common and that officers will require more training to handle them properly. …
Lord Young, General Secretary of the Free Speech Union, which has been helping Ms Smith, said: “Linzi should never have been investigated for a hate crime for saying trans women aren’t women, any more than she should have been banned from Newcastle games. …
“No one should be punished by a football club for expressing a point of view that is perfectly legitimate, not remotely hateful and which 99% of the club’s fans agree with.”
And please do contribute to Linzi’s CrowdJustice fundraiser. The Free Speech Union is helping her bring a legal case against Newcastle in the hope of getting the ban lifted, but Newcastle has dug in and it’s going to be expensive. Donate here.
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Can someone please explain to me how this isn’t at the minimum misconduct?
I’d also be curious about the legal definition of harassment and whether she’s been subjected to that by the police for her completely legitimate legal views
And where’s the apology from NUFC? Suspending her membership is completely unjustified and appallingly uncalled for. The sort of thing they’d do to a proven football hooligan.
Is it a supreme irony given which state owns the club that they are fighting the demand to apologise, drop her ban and hopefully compensate her for their stupidity.
Get with it please. All speech is free, but the correct sort of free speech spoken by Prime Ministers, the BBC and Stonewall is more free than the wrong sort of free speech spoken by the Far Right, the wrong sort of American President and Daily Sceptic commenters.
Simple to understand once you adopt the correct assumptions accepted by the correct sort of people resident in the correct sort of place like Islington.
(@RightNUFC) June 29, 2023
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Can someone please explain to me how this isn’t at the minimum misconduct?
I’d also be curious about the legal definition of harassment and whether she’s been subjected to that by the police for her completely legitimate legal views
And where’s the apology from NUFC? Suspending her membership is completely unjustified and appallingly uncalled for. The sort of thing they’d do to a proven football hooligan.
Is it a supreme irony given which state owns the club that they are fighting the demand to apologise, drop her ban and hopefully compensate her for their stupidity.
Maybe in another two years or so…
She should change clubs and support a club more worthy, are NUFC really worth the fight?
Comrade. It is what ve say it is – and you will shut up if you know what’s good for you.
Well done Linzi. I’m so sorry that she has been put through this ridiculous situation for doing nothing but expressing her opinion.
I suppose that’s the free speech Starmer said to be very proud if in his White House appearance.
Free (to be thrown in jail for your) speech Britain.
Or free (to be harassed and intimidated by the police for your) speech Britain.
Get with it please. All speech is free, but the correct sort of free speech spoken by Prime Ministers, the BBC and Stonewall is more free than the wrong sort of free speech spoken by the Far Right, the wrong sort of American President and Daily Sceptic commenters.
Simple to understand once you adopt the correct assumptions accepted by the correct sort of people resident in the correct sort of place like Islington.
Or to paraphrase June Slater… yes we’ve got free speech in this country but it’s what comes after our speech that matters.
I’m sure Northumbria Police will want to contribute to Linzi’s Crowd Justice fundraiser.
Police forces are the paramilitary wing of the leftist deep state. Enemies of the people and a menace to what is left of our democracy.
“Democracy?”
Que?