The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

We don’t need the law to tackle Twitter bigots

The arrest of a Tory councillor over a Twitter “joke” is an insult to all liberals.

By George Eaton Published 11 November 2010 16:40

On the day that the first "Twitter Joke Trial" concludes, the site is at the centre of another legal controversy. Gareth Compton, a Conservative Birmingham City councillor, has been arrested after he "jokingly" called for Independent columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown to be stoned to death.

Compton tweeted: "Can someone please stone Yasmin Alibhai-Brown to death? I shan't tell Amnesty if you don't. It would be a blessing, really."

He soon deleted the tweet and issued an apologetic statement:

I did not "call" for the stoning of anybody. I made an ill-conceived attempt at humour in response to Yasmin Alibhai-Brown saying on Radio 5 Live this morning, that no politician had the right to comment on human rights abuses, even the stoning of women in Iran. I apologise for any offence caused. It was wholly unintentional.

But the damage was done. Compton was suspended from the Conservative Party and reported to West Midlands Police. The BBC is now reporting that he's been arrested under the Communications Act 2003 – an extraordinarily disproportionate response. Compton's "joke" was crass (and rather sinister), but it was clearly not a threat of violence.

This isn't the first time that a political figure has fallen foul of Twitter, of course. The Labour MP David Wright was forced to apologise after he described the Tories as "scum-sucking pigs" and hasn't tweeted since. Then there was Stuart MacLennan, who was sacked as Labour's PPC in Moray after he posted a series of abusive messages on the site.

Compton's comments were more severe, but his arrest is an insult to all freethinking liberals. We can ridicule and condemn the likes of Compton ourselves, we don't need the police to get involved.

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11 comments

Thu, 2010-11-11 20:50 — Jonathan Stone (not verified)

writeoff - To be fair, I think I probably would yes. I might not like the views of the BNP but freedom of speech and hyperbole should still be a cornerstone of our democracy. Mr Compton was an idiot and ill-advised to send the tweet, like Paul Chamber was, but does that make him a criminal?

Mr Compton is almost certainly going to appear in court as the CPS will have to push for prosecution, they have given themselves no choice, following their poor original judgement in prosecuting Paul Chambers. Case law and the magistrate of judge he appears in front of is now likely going to be forced to rule that he is indeed a criminal and hand out suitable punishment, which could extend to a short custodial sentence!

Suddenly films like 1984 and V for Vendetta seem all too close to potential reality!

Thu, 2010-11-11 20:57 — Winniethepooh

If an Al Muhajirooni said the same thing as that tory prat - perhaps directed at Cherie Blair (and only to be provocative)? He'd probably be hauled off and charged with terrorism - and George Easton would have said the same thing? Petards hoisted by etc etc

Thu, 2010-11-11 22:37 — Chris Baldwin (not verified)

Right or wrong, I have better things to do than worry too much about this idiot getting arrested.

Wed, 2010-11-17 11:57 — Politically Incorrect (not verified)

Bar Council and Standards Board preferable avenues of complaint, but it is Police/CPS who have to decide further action; it appears that YABs wishes are irrelevant. Con Home Local Govt site is entertaining enough at any time, but 167 blogs posted on this subject; to be fair some have interesting and informed views about the legal position re Compton. The late learned Lord Bingham's views would no doubt have been enlightening on this point.

Thu, 2010-11-11 16:57 — Jonathan Stone (not verified)

You are of course totally correct and the problem here is that the CPS has created a rod that the Police has no choice now but to bare following the prosecution of Paul Chambers. If Paul loses his appeal today then I am sure the CPS have no choice to also send Gareth to the courts and one would think he will be found guilty.

If Paul's appeal is successful, as indeed it really has to. then at least the CPS will have a way out of this ridiculous situation they and they alone have created.

If I was Gareth I would give David Green a call in the morning, whatever happens!

Thu, 2010-11-11 17:10 — 9xzulug

i'm intrigued if he will be forced to undergo ethnicity diversity retraining courses to redeem his integrity as a councillor?he's a PUBLIC SERVANT who's job is to serve all uk citizens unbiasedly

Thu, 2010-11-11 17:13 — Jonathan Stone (not verified)

Well that is that, Gareth is going to Court and I am almost sure he will be found guilty.

Paul Chambers appeal fails!!!

What a bloody joke this country's judicial system is turning into...

Come Cameron and Clegg, show us your balls! I dare you!

Fri, 2010-11-12 01:36 — Robert (not verified)

He was up for election next May anyway.

Otherwise Labour might have been able to knock two Tories off the council for the price of one.

Fri, 2010-11-12 03:11 — Hans Castorp (not verified)

George

"Compton's "joke" was crass (and rather sinister), but it was clearly not a threat of violence."

Indeed. But why haven't you mentioned Alibhai-Brown 's ridiculous response?

I saw her on the BBC News Channel this evening saying the tweet (a tweet!) was "an incitement".

Also, "If I, as a Muslim woman, had said about him what he said about me then I would be arrested in these times of the war against terror ... He does not have more of a right to say these things about me that I do about him and I think words matter when you are in public life".

Isn't Brown the the most illiberal player in all this?

After all, if she refused to press charges and accepted an apology from this stupid Tory, would this be a criminal issue?

Let's not forget, this drivel-peddler wished for the wholesale failure of the Iraqi state: "I found myself again hoping that this handover [in Iraq] proves a failure because it has been orchestrated by the Americans." And she wished the "resistance" in Iraq every success.

So perhaps it is not surprising that her 'liberal' credentials, when push comes to shove, are readily compromised when it comes to her own interest.