Gary Lineker has criticised the police after a journalist was arrested while reporting on a Just Stop Oil protest.
Charlotte Lynch had been reporting on the activists from a road bridge over junction 21 of the M25, in Hertfordshire, on Tuesday, for around 45 minutes when she was approached and questioned by two officers.
After showing them a press card and having explained she was reporting on the demonstration, the officers handcuffed her, took her phone and arrested her on conspiracy to commit a public nuisance.
Speaking out about the incident, Mr Lineker wrote on Twitter: “What are we doing?” in an apparent dig at the police force.
Ms Lynch said she was searched on the side of the road, before officers seized her devices and took her to a police station in a custody van.
She then told of being taken to a cell and detained for five hours before officers released her with no further action.
Hertfordshire Police, in a statement released on Wednesday evening, acknowledged that while the actions of its officers at the scene were “understandable”, the arrest “would not have been necessary”.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joined police chiefs in calling for press freedom. Mr Sunak said it is “vital” that journalists are able to do their job freely, “without restriction”, as the chief constable of Hertfordshire Police called for a review into the arrests.
The above summary was derived from the story linked below
Source: Gary Lineker hits out at police after journalist ARRESTED during Just Stop Oil protest
