Greater Manchester Police Accused of Intimidating Grandmother Over Facebook Criticism of Labour

Helen Jones, a 54-year-old grandmother in Greater Manchester, faced police questioning after she criticized local Labour politicians on Facebook, particularly calling for the resignation of Councillor David Sedgwick over an offensive WhatsApp scandal. Although the police stated she had committed no crime, the incident left Jones feeling intimidated and scared to express her opinions online. The scandal erupted after MP Andrew Gwynne shared a message in a group chat wishing harm on an elderly constituent who had complained about bin collections. Critics, including former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, condemned the police's actions as a waste of resources and an infringement on free speech, likening it to oppressive tactics reminiscent of the Stasi secret police. This incident has sparked broader concerns about the policing of social media commentary in the UK, with advocates for free speech warning that such actions undermine democratic rights. The backlash highlights growing tensions over freedom of expression amidst perceived authoritarianism in policing.