‘Free speech under threat!’ Pensioner who was arrested over 'thought crime' tweet sends warning to Keir Starmer

The 71-year-old said: "I find it very hard to believe at this stage of events that Keir Starmer is unaware of this case.

"I actually saw that clip a couple of weeks back, they were in the Oval Office, and the question came up. Keir Starmer sat their and said we've had free speech in the UK for a very long time. Yeah, right! I think I know differently."

"It's obvious to most people in this country. The issue of free speech has been a problem for a long time."

Foulkes, a retired special constable, sat down with the People's Channel for his first TV interview since being arrested over a social media post about antisemitism in Britain.

Speaking to GB News, Foulkes revealed that despite the publicity surrounding his arrest he has not received communication from Keir Starmer.

Foulkes also recounted the moment six police officers arrived at his home to arrest him on November 2, 2023. He was detained for eight hours after replying to a pro-Palestinian activist on X.

"I was totally taken by surprise. I was sitting at my computer and I was just booking a holiday," he said.

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The former officer, who served in the Garden of England's constabulary for a decade, was handcuffed and taken to Medway police station following the arrest.

Kent Police has since acknowledged that the formal warning issued to Foulkes was "not appropriate in the circumstances".

He added: "But it had been going on long before that. I know that Suella Braverman, who was the Home Secretary at the time, was extremely concerned about it.

"Unfortunately, the things she wanted to do and implement — she was prevented from doing."

The experience felt "almost surreal" to Foulkes, particularly as some officers recognised him from his time serving with the force.

The arrest stemmed from Foulkes' response to a pro-Palestinian activist on X, in which he wrote: "One step away from storming Heathrow looking for Jewish arrivals." This post had only 26 views and had not been reported by the public.

Despite having committed no offence, the 71-year-old accepted an initial caution from police, fearing it might affect his ability to visit his daughter in Australia.

Police body-worn camera footage later revealed officers examining Foulkes' book collection, pointing to what they described as "very Brexity things."

The six officers who conducted the arrest were armed with batons and pepper spray, and proceeded to book, fingerprint, photograph and swab Foulkes for DNA during his detention.

Kent Police has since opened a review into the incident, with Chief Constable Tim Smith personally apologising to Foulkes for the distress caused and the "mistake" in how the matter was investigated.

Commenting on the incident, a Home Office spokesman said: "This incident occurred under the previous Government.

"The Home Secretary has made clear that she believes all police forces should be focused on the central priorities of the Government's Safer Streets Mission."