A retired special constable has spoken out about free speech being under attack after he was detained over a social media post warning about anti-Semitism in Britain.
Julian Foulkes, from Gillingham in Kent, was handcuffed at his home by six officers from Kent Police – the force he had served for a decade.
The officers arrived after Foulkes challenged a supporter of pro-Palestinian marches on X.
During the search, police scrutinised his collection of books by authors such as Spectator columnist Douglas Murray, describing them as "very Brexity things".
Officers also raised concerns about a shopping list containing bleach, tin foil and gloves drawn up by Foulkes's wife, a hairdresser.
The incident took place in November 2023, following Hamas attacks in October that led to pro-Palestinian marches in London.
Foulkes had responded to a post from an account called "Mr Ethical" featuring a Palestinian flag, writing: "One step away from storming Heathrow looking for Jewish arrivals".
His post was intended as a warning about where anti-Semitic hate could lead.
Without warning, the Metropolitan Police Intelligence Command had referred his post to Kent Police, citing "concerns around online content".
Foulkes was locked in a police cell for eight hours and questioned on suspicion of malicious communications.
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Fearing that further escalation could impact his ability to visit his daughter in Australia, he accepted a caution despite having committed no offence.
The case comes just months after Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson was questioned at home by two Essex Police officers over an X post following pro-Palestinian protests.
In March, Hertfordshire Constabulary separately arrested parents of a nine-year-old after they complained about her school in a WhatsApp group.
This week, Kent Police admitted the caution was a mistake and deleted it from Foulkes's record.
A Kent Police spokesman told The Telegraph that the force had "concluded that the caution against Mr Foulkes was not appropriate in the circumstances and should not have been issued".
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Pro-Palestine protesters gathered in WhitehallPAThe spokesman added that a further review would be carried out "to identify any learning opportunities".
However, Foulkes voiced his concerns about threats to free speech in the UK.
"Free speech is clearly under attack," Foulkes told The Telegraph. "Nobody is really safe – the public needs to see what's happening, and be shocked."
He added: "I never saw anything like this when I was in the force. But this woke mind virus infecting everything has definitely infected the police."
Foulkes, who described the emotional damage as like PTSD, also revealed that the incident cost money that he cannot afford as a pensioner.
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Douglas Murray
GB NewsHe described the experience as "trashing" his decade of police service memories.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman condemned the police action as "outrageous" and a "shameful waste of time, money and resources".
"We live in dangerous times when the police investigate speaking the truth," Braverman said. "This sorry episode shows not only that freedom of speech is under attack in the UK, but that it's in crisis."
Foulkes's solicitor, Matthew Elkins, added: "Julian's case highlights a need for the police to take stock, and to make freedom of expression their starting point."
Responding to 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."
