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Met Police drop 'race hate' investigation into Darren Grimes and David Starkey

Darren Grimes said he is 'delighted' but has questioned how the investigation got so far - Jeff Gilbert
Darren Grimes said he is 'delighted' but has questioned how the investigation got so far - Jeff Gilbert

The Metropolitan Police has dropped a “race hate” investigation into Darren Grimes and Dr David Starkey because it was not “proportionate”.

Scotland Yard was forced to backtrack after a free speech backlash which included criticism from the current and former Home Secretaries and the former Director of Public Prosecution.

Mr Grimes said that he was “delighted” but questioned how the investigation had got to the point where he was due to be interviewed under caution and called for the release of the legal advice which “justified the wasting of police resources, time and taxpayer money on investigating the vexatious charge”.

The police u-turn has been described as “a “sweet victory” for free speech and for the “cause of liberty”.

The conservative commentator and the historian were being investigated over a podcast published on Mr Grimes’ Reasoned UK YouTube channel on June 30, in which Dr Starkey had said that slavery was not a genocide as there are “so many damn blacks”.

The investigation into Mr Grimes for a public order offence was first revealed by the Telegraph on the evening of Friday 9 October, with Scotland Yard’s press team apparently unaware of the potentially explosive case. By Monday, after a weekend of backlash over the impact the investigation could have on free speech, the Metropolitan Police had appointed a senior officer to review the investigation.

Mr Grimes and Dr Starkey were informed days later that the case was on hold and they would not be required to attend an interview. Both men have now been informed the investigation into them has been dropped.

Mr Grimes said: “I am delighted to be free from months, if not years, of yet more legal drama occupying my life.

“However, the fact that it was allowed to reach this point, the fact that a precedent has been set that says that a broadcaster or journalist can face police arrest and a maximum of seven years prison time for interviewing a controversial guest is truly chilling indeed.

“I will still seek the CPS advice that justified the wasting of police resources, time and taxpayer money on investigating the vexatious charge that I "stirred up" racial hatred in the first place and the unprecedented use of the Public Order Act to regulate speech and debate.”

Dr David Starkey has also been told that the investigation has been dropped - Geoff Pugh
Dr David Starkey has also been told that the investigation has been dropped - Geoff Pugh

Dr Starkey also welcomed the news, saying in a statement: "The investigation should never, of course, have begun. From the beginning it was misconceived, oppressive and designed to misuse the criminal law to curtail the proper freedom of expression and debate. This freedom is our birthright; and it is more important than ever at this critical juncture in our nation’s history.

"The collapse of the police investigation is also a personal vindication. Back in July I apologised unreservedly for a deplorable choice of words and paid a significant price. Today’s announcement, however, confirms that nothing that I said was racist in fact or in intent.

"I shall now move forward with both my academic work and my public commentary".

A Met Police spokesman said: “Following an extensive review and further advice from the CPS, the decision was made to close the investigation and take no further action.”

It is understood that the decision to launch the investigation, after a complaint was referred from Durham Police, was made at a local level and the Met’s senior officers, including Cressida Dick, had no warning of the row that was about to erupt.

The case was being investigated by the South-West Basic Command Unit (BCU), a borough policing unit led by former HR professional Chief Superintendent Elisabeth Chapple. According to her LinkedIn profile, Ch Supt Chapple only took over control of the unit in the July, just as the investigation began.

The Met had revealed that officers sought early investigative advice from the CPS before contacting both Mr Grimes and Dr Starkey.

According to the guidelines governing such advice, it can be sought when “in serious, sensitive or complex cases” or where police think it will help “to determine the evidence that will be required to support a prosecution or to decide if a case can proceed to court”.

A source at the CPS said that it is not up to prosecutors to decide what the police should investigate.

Commander Paul Brogden, Frontline Policing, said: "It is the duty of police to assess and, if appropriate, fully investigate alleged offences and the public would expect us to investigate an allegation of this nature.

"We conducted initial inquiries to establish the full circumstances and sought early advice from the CPS. Having had the opportunity to review this, it is no longer proportionate that this investigation continues."

"We have made direct contact with the individuals involved and updated them on this decision.”

Baroness Fox of Buckley, the former Conservative MEP, said: “Sweet victory. For once a victory for free speech, press freedom and common sense. And it couldn't have happened without a genuine public outcry as well as support of the Free Speech Union”.

She said she was pleased for Mr Grimes “but even more pleased for all of us and the cause of liberty”.