‘Kafkaesque!’ Police drop ‘non-crime hate incident’ investigation into gender-critical activist

The Metropolitan Police has dropped its lengthy investigation into a social media post made by gender-critical activist Maya Forstater last year.

Forstater, 51, who expressed her support for journalist Allison Pearson earlier this week, was contacted in June 2023 by police who invited her to a voluntary interview to share her side of the story.

The police would not tell the Sex Matters executive director which tweet she was being investigated for and would only say it was a post “targeting” a member of the transgender community.

An officer also said they could not disclose any more information because the “victim” was susceptible to further comments.

However, Scotland Yard today confirmed it dropped its investigation into Forastater.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “An allegation of malicious communication, relating to a post on social media, was reported to police in June 2023.

“A number of enquiries were carried out by officers, including liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service.

“We can confirm our investigation has now concluded, with no further action to be taken.”

The Metropolitan Police also made a stunning admission about the length of time taken to carry out its investigation.

“While it is right that a full investigation was carried out, we do recognise the length of time it took and the impact that will undoubtedly have had on all parties,” the spokesman added.

Scotland Yard’s announcement comes just days after journalist Pearson was visited by two Essex Police officers on Remembrance Sunday.

Police have refused to tell Pearson what post is being investigated, with the 64-year-old labelling the incident a “Kafkaesque”.

Speaking to GB News yesterday, Pearson said: “Because it was Remembrance Sunday I drew myself up and told them [the police officers] we are here today on a special day commemorating hundred of men your age who laid down their lives for the country so that it could be a free country and not live under the jackboot of tyranny.

“Here you are on Remembrance Sunday, coming to my house in something that I see to be against freedom.”

During her interview on GB News, Pearson detailed her next steps when Farage asked about whether she would meet with the Home Secretary.

She said: “I’m going to probably go in for an interview. The Free Speech Union, which is a brilliant organisation, is helping me, and they’re giving me a solicitor.

“So if I have to go into the police station and have a voluntary interview. I’ll go in and maybe then we’ll be able to find out what I’m accused of, and then we’ll see how it progresses.”

Pearson went on to argue that police were prioritising “non-crime” incidents over more serious offences, including theft.

Essex Police opened its investigation against the journalist under Section 17 of the Public Order Act 1986, relating to material posted on her X account last year and said it allegedly was “likely or intended to cause racial hatred”.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “The report relates to a social media post which was subsequently removed.

“An investigation is now being carried out under Section 17 of the Public Order Act.”