UK & World News
- 12 November 2012, 12:35
Burning Poppy Photo: Man Faces Questioning
A man is to be questioned by police after an image of a burning poppy was posted on Facebook on Remembrance Sunday.
Kent Police said the 19-year-old, from Canterbury, was detained last night on suspicion of making malicious telecommunications and is in custody awaiting interview.
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."
The arrest was met with disbelief on Twitter, where people mounted a fierce discussion over civil liberties.
Tom Williams, tweeting as @tomwilliamsisme, wrote: "The scary thing is, the man wasn't arrested for burning a poppy - that's not illegal. He was arrested for putting it online."
Jamie's Pants, under @thisisrjg, tweeted: "We do not have a right to not be offended. We certainly don't have a right to lock up someone for offending some people",
And Thom Lumley, tweeting as @Hotstepperrr, wrote: "Dear idiots at Kent Police, burning a poppy may be obnoxious, but it is not a criminal offence."
David Allen Green, a journalist and lawyer for the New Statesman, tweeting as Jack of Kent, wrote: "What was the point of winning either World War if, in 2012, someone can be casually arrested by Kent Police for burning a poppy?"
Australian musician and comedian Tim Minchin also tweeted his incredulity, saying: "You've a right to burn a (fake!) poppy. Whether I agree with the action is utterly irrelevant. Kent Police are out of line."
Meanwhile, a man who skateboarded alongside a Remembrance Sunday parade wearing a pink outfit and horned mask has been charged under the Public Order Act, police said.
Jose Paulo Da Silveria, 38, is alleged to have skateboarded beside marching troops as they made their way past the cenotaph towards College Green in Bristol city centre.
what do you think?
Kimberley Lamb
Damed is they do , damed if they dont ????
SagePhotoWorld
I am jolly glad I don't now live in the police state that Britain has become.
Richard Gould
You should try living in a true police state before you pass comments like this. If the Gestapo were around today you wouldn't enjoy freedom of speech in any form and you would most likely already be put up against a wall. The poppy serves to remind you of the sacrifice that men and women made so that you do not live under the shadow of the Gestapo.
Robert Hare
UK is far from being a police state it's still as Democratic as ever. It's not naz* Germany where Jewish books we're burnt by the millions. Many people have abused our human rights laws and freedom of speech but slowly these persons are being held to account for there actions..and not a moment to soon
kyle rambo
On behalf of the muslim community i would like to offer my respect to those who lost their lives to protect this country. Before anyone starts pointing fingers about islam and muslims.
Richard Gould
Muslims too gave their lives so that others could enjoy freedom. They fought in WWII and don't forget the "Spring Uprising", a fight against tyrrany. The poppy represents all who died for the sake of others.
Paul Croxton
Fair play its only a small minority that gives religion a bad name I'm a pagan and people don't understand we get laughed at called witches and all sorts I just pity the ignorant
anndavies6
while i agree with some comments re. the burning of a poppy, the poppy is a national symbol in this country, it is for the people who have given their lives so we can live in freedom and saftey. if the person who did this meant no malice against our fallen heros or our country why pick a poppy and why burn it on the most important day of the year..... i would guess that none of this persons family, were in the armed services. not a criminal offence but an immoral and discusting act.
les
i would think he was arrested for his own safety!!!!
doug piercy
I understand people's outrage but I think the police were right. I do not agree with the act and it agitates me that someone thinks this is a good idea. If it were a bible or koran or a countries flag would you want that person arrested? Even if only for their own safety?
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Richard Gould
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Richard Gould
People think that it is ok in this day and age to insult and offend others without any recourse. It is a sad state of affairs that society today has got to the stage where nobody cares who they insult. It is disrespectful and abhorrent. Racial remarks are protected by law so other forms of insult should be afforded the same protection.
Brian Holmes
Kent police did exactly the right thing. Both burning the poppy and posting the photo online are actions likely to cause a breach of the peace and that is an offence. Anyone who tries to defend the "right" to commit an offence needs some serious re-education. Anyone who tries to defend such acts in the light of the ongoing deaths of our armed forces abroad, and especially in Kent where the Battle of Britain took place and where so many young, brave men gave their lives for this country, needs to realise that they are not properly functioning members of this society. Their warped attitudes are what is causing the total breakdown of the value system of our society. Shameful and utterly disgraceful. I wear my poppy with pride and humility because I appreciate the enormous sacrifices that it represents and I am proud to be British.
Richard Gould
Absolutely brilliantly put. Well done.
Windows Live User
Stupid civil liberties people.
marc H
wenna jones, you go and live in russia. Im betting you would be begging to get back into this country after a short while. Ure a wannabe do gooder who just inflames things for your self gratification.endof.
johnnydee23
Yes let's reeducate every thick as a brick sicko then no one will ever cause offence To anyone ever again. Perspective is being lost in an avalanche of political correctness there are more important things for over stretched police to do.
john
This just makes the British look stupid, Is there no crime in Kent for the police to investigate.
Dave Harrison
There have been several cases recently where stuff posted on the internet has resulted in police action. Whether you agree or not with this "thought police" intevention at least they are being consistent. In addition has anyone any doubt that this was a pre meditated act designed to cause maximum reaction on what is probably the most emotive day of the year so far as the poppy is concerned.
Lorgar Aurelian
Tim Minchin is a comedian is he? At least we all know where he stands. And people have a go at Frankie Boyle...
Brian Holmes
This report quoted five people who Tweeted in support of the offender and quoted none in support of the police. And why rely solely on Twitter as a source? This is a very skewed report that gives no indication of the shock and disgust felt by very many people at this attack on a magnificent institution, the Royal British Legion, which is an integral part of the fabric and identity of this country.
happymike CHESTER
This young man in MY opinion is a fool but it is his right to be a fool arresting him for free expression is wrong, police do over step their powers.
Richard Gould
6:41am on 12/11/2012
As the poppy is extremely symbolic to many, to do what this person has done is incitement to cause offence. If he were in a muslim state and he were to desecrate the Koran he would most certainly be subject to a fatwa. If someone was to refer to black nationals, Asians etc in an offensive way, according to those people, then again, there would be a call for justice and claims of racism. To those who cite civil liberties, you cannot choose yourself what is offensive, it is the offended who must retain the right to decide. Democracy is freedom of speech, not the right to insult.