A retired special constable is preparing to sue Kent Police after being wrongfully arrested over a “thought crime” social media post that warned about rising antisemitism.
Julian Foulkes, 71, from Gillingham in Kent, was detained for eight hours after replying to a pro-Palestinian activist online.
And now, Lord Young’s Free Speech Union has agreed to fund his legal challenge against the force.
Six officers from Kent Police – in which Foulkes had served for a decade – handcuffed the pensioner at his home on November 2, 2023.
Julian Foulkes is preparing to sue Kent Police
THE TELEGRAPH
He was interrogated and issued with a caution, which the force later confirmed was a mistake.
Police admitted the caution was “not appropriate in the circumstances and should not have been issued”.
Mr Foulkes’ post was a reaction to reports of an antisemitic mob storming an airport in Russia looking for Jewish passengers.
He wrote: “One step away from storming Heathrow looking for Jewish arrivals” in response to an activist threatening to sue then-home secretary Suella Braverman.
Despite his post warning against antisemitism, Kent Police misinterpreted it as being anti-Jewish.
AS IT HAPPENED – JULIAN FOULKES ARRESTED FOR ‘THOUGHT CRIME’:
Julian Foulkes was detained for eight hours after replying to a pro-Palestinian activist online (file photo)
GETTY
Now, “the FSU and Lord Young have generously agreed to fully fund a lawsuit against Kent Police,” Foulkes confirmed.
“I’m extremely grateful for such excellent support and would urge anyone concerned about the sustained attack on free speech to please join the FSU.”
Young, the FSU co-founder, called the case “inexcusable” and said Foulkes should never have been arrested or cautioned.
While the Union itself has said “we don’t think Kent Police should be allowed to get away with such appalling behaviour” as it pushes for a public fundraiser.
Kent Police’s Chief Constable Tim Smith also phoned the pensioner on Sunday to offer a personal apology for the ordeal.
The Chief Constable vowed to “thoroughly investigate the failings” in the case.
FREE SPEECH UNDER THREAT – READ MORE:
Young, the FSU co-founder, called the case ‘inexcusable’ and said Foulkes should never have been arrested
PA
Foulkes said: “I was appreciative of his apology.”
The caution was only deleted from his record after he engaged Matthew Elkins, the director of Legisia Legal Services.
Mr Foulkes said the ordeal had left him with “post-traumatic stress-type symptoms” and had damaged his memories of volunteering for the force.
“It’s like PTSD. You push it to the back of your mind, but it comes back and you relive it,” he said.
Though he had committed no offence, he accepted the caution in a state of shock, fearing it could affect his ability to visit his daughter in Australia.
