Essex Police say they are taking no further action against Alison Pearson after investigating the Daily Telegraph columnist’s social media posts.
A police statement said the investigation had been closed, but an independent review of the force’s handling of the case would take place.
The force had previously defended its actions after Pearson said she was “stunned” when she visited her home on Remembrance Sunday.
The force said the visit was to arrange time for an interview as part of an investigation into alleged incitement of racial hatred following a complaint by a member of the public.
Essex Police said in a statement that the force “has reviewed this matter, sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service. They have advised that no charges should be laid. We have concluded that no further action will be taken.”
The force said Chief Constable BJ Harrington asked Chief Constable Mark Hobrow, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s hate crime lead, “to conduct an independent review of the force’s handling of this matter and he has agreed”.
An Essex Police spokesperson said, “We investigate reported crimes without fear or favour.” “We sometimes face allegations of a crime where people have strong opposing views. That’s why we work very hard to remain impartial and investigate allegations, no matter which way they go.” Have been.”
Pearson publicized his visit from the police after writing an article She claimed that the police who came to her home told her that it was a “non-criminal hate incident”.But it did not say which post it was about.
The force said body cam footage of the incident showed that “at no stage” did its officers tell it that the report being investigated was being treated as a “non-crime hate incident”.
A non-criminal hate incident is one where no criminal offense has been committed but the person reporting it believes the incident is motivated by hostility.
The BBC has seen a now-deleted post relating to the police complaint.
It is dated 16 November 2023 and shows a photo of two police officers standing next to two men holding the flag of the Pakistani political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The Metropolitan Police was tagged in the post with the words “How dare they”.
It said: “Invited to be photographed with the lovely peaceful British Friends of Israel on Saturday, the police refused. Look at this group of Jew haters smiling.”
X added a notice to the post stating that the photo was taken in Manchester, not London, and that it “does not belong to Palestine”.
A number of political figures, including shadow Home Secretary Chris Philip and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, came out in support of Pearson – sparking a debate over free speech.
Responding to the debate, Essex Police previously said it supported free speech but “it does not support inaccuracy”.
“If an alleged crime is reported, it is investigated. There is no public interest in lies.”
