British Police Arrest Man for Burning a Poppy and Posting the Picture on Twitter
By Charles C. W. Cooke
November 12, 2012 10:51 A.M.

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The Telegraph, with another British free speech outrage:

    A man has been arrested for posting an image of a burning poppy on a social network site.

    Kent Police said in a statement that the man, from Aylesham, was detained last night on suspicion of making malicious telecommunications and that he was in custody awaiting interview.

    The force does not say whether the arrested man actually burned the poppy, or just posted the photo online.

    The arrest was met with incredulity on Twitter, where people mounted a fierce discussion over civil liberties.

“Malicious telecommunications”?

    Kent Police said the suspect, a 19-year-old man from Canterbury, will be questioned over the posting on Facebook later today.

    The force said in a statement: “A man is due to be interviewed by police this morning following reports that a picture of a burning poppy had been posted on a social media website.

    “Officers were contacted at around 4pm yesterday and alerted to the picture, which was reportedly accompanied by an offensive comment.

    “Following an investigation by Kent Police, a 19-year-old Canterbury man was arrested on suspicion of an offence under
the Malicious Communications Act. He is currently in custody.”

Once again, a Briton falls foul to Britain’s asinine speech laws, which allow the offended to determine what is allowable. As the Guardian explains:

     According to the website of the CPS, the Malicious Communications Act 1988, section 1, “deals with the sending to another of any article which is indecent or grossly offensive, or which conveys a threat, or which is false, provided there is an intent to cause distress or anxiety to the recipient”.

    The CPS website states: “The offence covers letters, writing of all descriptions, electronic communications, photographs and other images in a material form, tape recordings, films and video recordings.”

    Last year, Police in Northern Ireland arrested a number of people after a picture of two youths burning a poppy was posted on Facebook.

The poppy is a symbol of remembrance in Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and is worn in those countries leading up to and during November 11 to commemorate fallen soldiers.

Anger as police arrest man over burning poppy on Facebook

Picture of burning poppy sparks outrage, but so does over-the-top police reaction

LAST UPDATED AT 15:33 ON Mon 12 Nov 2012

A KENT man has been arrested after he posted a picture of a burning poppy on Facebook, sparking an impassioned debate over freedom of speech on social networking sites.

The man, named by the Daily Mail as 19-year-old Linford House, was arrested on Remembrance Sunday on suspicion of 'malicious telecommunications' after the picture was uploaded along with the message: "How about that you squadey [sic] c***s".

But despite outrage over his actions, it is the police who have been condemned for arresting the man.

Australian comedian Tim Minchin was one of the first to react to the news on Twitter. "You've a right to burn a (fake!) poppy," he wrote. "Whether I agree with the action is utterly irrelevant. Kent police are out of line."

New Statesman legal blogger David Allen Green also weighed in. "What was the point of winning either World War if, in 2012, someone can be casually arrested by @kent_police for burning a poppy?" he asked.

Although the teenager's actions were roundly condemned, there was a groundswell of anger at the actions of the police.

Freedom of speech campaigners added their voice to the chorus of disapproval. Index on Censorship told The Guardian: "News of this arrest is very worrying. Index hopes that when the CPS issues its guidelines on free speech later this month, due regard will be given to free speech online."

Another civil liberties group, Big Brother Watch, told The Daily Telegraph the arrest was ridiculous. "It is not illegal to offend people and, however idiotic or insensitive the picture may have been, it is certainly not worthy of arrest," it said.

There was even concern among the readers of the Daily Mail. "We're one step away from thought-crime. How did we let this happen?" said one commenter underneath the paper's story.

However, it is not the first time police have taken action over poppy-related protests. Last year there were several arrests in Northern Ireland after pictures of a burning poppy were posted on Facebook, and Emdadur Choudhury, a member of Muslims Against Crusades, was fined £50 and convicted of a public order offence for burning replica poppies on Remembrance Day in London in 2011.


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British National Party Head Office Reports Upsurge in Inquiries since Poppy Burning Incident
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There has been a “massive” upsurge in inquiries and interest in the British National Party since the outrageous ‘poppy burning’ incident last Remembrance Sunday, reports party office manager Jen Matthys.

Quoted in the latest appeal for funds sent out by the party, Ms Matthys said the “phones have not stopped ringing since last week.

“It has been one of the busiest times I can remember since the historic victory of our two MEPs. People are just so angry at the sight of Muslim extremists burning poppies and insulting our war dead,” Ms Matthys said.

The shocking events have provoked an outpouring of rage across the country, and the British National Party has proven to be the beneficiary as outraged members of the public turn to the party, understanding at last that is has been right all along.

“No doubt, like all right-thinking people you were outraged at press pictures of Muslim lunatics burning the poppy and interrupting the two minute silence to honour our war dead,” the latest BNP appeal letter, penned by party leader Nick Griffin, read.

“These people spit on the memory of all those who suffered in wars to maintain our freedom and independence. Those who endured the Blitz, who fought in foreign lands to keep our land safe, the victims of Nazi oppression, who we helped to save,” the letter continued.

“To the fanatics this counts for nothing. They are blinded by a hatred of our history and values. To us the poppy is a symbol of national unity. “When we look at it we remember and take pride in the sacrifice of our forebears, relatives, friends and loved ones who made sacrifices on our behalf.

“To our soldiers it is a time to remember fallen comrades fondly. Muslim fanatics are not like us. When they look at the poppy they see a symbol of their enemy, a symbol of the values they despise and reject.

“They destroyed a poppy, but really it is the values that it represents that they truly wish to trample on and destroy — our values.

“The British National Party understands their motivation and desires. We see clearly their purpose and have no illusions.

“The Political Class believe that these people can be appeased or absorbed but we realise that this will never happen. Muslim fanatics cannot be bargained with or bought off. They see this only as a sign of weakness, of decadence.

“There is only one political party that has the strength of will and purpose to defend against these wicked people with their twisted views.

“Only the British National Party can defend our culture, values and identity from Muslim aggression and establishment surrender.

“We are fighting for the very survival of our nation and our children’s future. Deep down ordinary folk, folk like you realise that we need champions to stand up for our rights and way of life.

“You realise that the Political Class has long ago abandoned any pretence that they care about us ordinary Britons. Hard working decent folk like you are at the very bottom of their list of priorities. The Political Class is as twisted as the Muslims fundamentalists they court and to which they pander,” Mr Griffin wrote.

“I value all those who are prepared to help me in the Crusade against those who reject and despise the country that has given them security, prosperity and refuge.

“They are the enemy within; a fifth column in our midst. People like you give me the faith to continue the struggle. You renew me and give me energy to fight the enemies of Britain.

“By my side stand ranks of good, committed patriots. People who love their country and will take action to defend it at all levels. Our MEPs, councillors, activists, trade unionists and community workers.

“All are part of an organisation with one goal — that of saving our land and people.

“You can be part of that even if you can’t join. Give them the weapons to wage this war. Send a donation — whatever you can afford:

– to help pay for leaflets to inform voters;

- to pay for travel to attend demonstrations and counter-demonstrations;

- to keep the infrastructure that runs our party machine going;

- to pay for us to visit those who need our help or advice.

“Remember the images of the Poppy burners, the hatred in the eyes of the fanatics and say ‘enough is enough.’ Anything you can send to help us will be appreciated,” Mr Griffin concluded.