Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Hampshire cops dump hate-crime 're-education' programme after army veteran's arrest for tweet explodes

PCC Donna Jones said she was ending the contract with the company which manages the programme.

Hampshire cops dump hate-crime 're-education' programme after army veteran's arrest for tweet explodes

A hate-crime awareness programme which gave alleged offenders an opportunity to avert persecution has been scrapped by a police chief after it came under fire following the arrest of an army veteran for 'causing anxiety' by retweeting a picture of a swastika made out of four Pride flags on social media, MailOnline reported.

Hampshire Constabulary was among three forces in the UK that ran the two-hour educational course for people accused of racist, sexist, misogynist and transphobic activities.


The scheme was funded out of the force's Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) budget.

But things went wrong when Darren Brady, the army veteran aged 51, was offered the course after he retweeted the meme that showed the four LGBT flags forming a swastika. He was told that he could avoid getting prosecuted if he participated in the session before they launched an investigation. He was later released without any action.

Donna Jones, Tory PCC, Hampshire, on Sunday (7) said that she decided to end the contract with the company that managed the programme as campaigners -- including a cop who was also held during the incident -- saying the move was a victory over 'woke coppers'.

Speaking to The Telegraph, she said, "I inherited a restorative justice contract when I was elected into office last year and the restorative hate-crime awareness course was part of that.

"I have decided that this hate-crime awareness course will no longer be offered in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight by way of a community resolution option. The change needs to be planned properly but will take place in the coming weeks.

"In saying this, I want to be clear that when someone has been targeted and suffered violence or abuse because of their protected characteristics, and the incident reaches the evidential threshold for a hate crime, perpetrators can expect police action. This is vital."

Brady slammed the Hampshire Police on charges of impeding his right to free speech after he was handcuffed on Friday (5) at his residence in Aldershot for retweeting the meme. Footage of his arrest became viral on social media and showed an officer who told the army veteran that his post had caused anxiety and been reported to higher officials.

Harry Miller, a former police officer who was also arrested after claiming that he had tried to stop Brady from getting detained, told MailOnline, "We welcome the intervention of the PCC but the police should never have been acting as judge and jury in the first place. The public don't need re-educating by woke coppers who think it's their job to be moral and political guardians."

Miller, who won a Court of Appeal challenge last December over police guidance on 'hate incidents', said police visited the man 10 days ago and informed him that he could take the option of attending an £80 education course to avoid getting arrested and possibly charged with a criminal offence.

More For You

Andrew Tate Sued by Ex-Girlfriend Brianna Stern Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Tate’s attorney, Joseph McBride, has dismissed the lawsuit

Getty

Andrew Tate faces sexual assault lawsuit from ex-girlfriend Brianna Stern

Social media personality Andrew Tate is facing a new lawsuit from his ex-girlfriend, Brianna Stern, who has accused him of sexual assault, battery, and gender violence. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, details allegations of abuse and an incident that allegedly took place at The Beverly Hills Hotel on 11 March 2025.

Allegations in the lawsuit

According to the legal complaint, Stern claims that Tate initially appeared as a "dream come true" but later became emotionally and physically abusive. The lawsuit describes a violent encounter at the hotel, where she alleges Tate physically assaulted and threatened her.

Keep ReadingShow less
Voices of Faith 2025: A journey through spirituality and wisdom

Soumik Datta (R) and Gurdain Singh Rayatt

Voices of Faith 2025: A journey through spirituality and wisdom

Mahesh Liloriya

The inaugural edition of Voices of Faith commenced on Friday at the iconic Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, marking the beginning of an extraordinary three-day festival exploring theological philosophies, interfaith dialogues, and the deeper essence of spirituality through conversations, music, and healing vibes.

Organised by Teamwork Arts, the creators of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) and JLF London, Voices of Faith is presented by the Kamini and Vindi Banga Family Trust, with the support of Tech Mahindra. Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat serve as the official media partners of this landmark event. This unique festival seeks to offer insights into navigating the complexities of modern life through the timeless wisdom enshrined in global religious traditions. It focuses on the universal ideals of compassion and interconnectedness that underpin the world’s faiths, fostering dialogue that transcends barriers and deepens mutual understanding.

Keep ReadingShow less
Court reopens Asian child sex offender's deportation case

Home Office successfully challenged a ruling that allowed him to remain in Britain (Photo for representation: iStock)

Court reopens Asian child sex offender's deportation case

A PAKISTANI man convicted of sexually assaulting a child under 13 will face a fresh deportation hearing after the Home Office successfully challenged a ruling that allowed him to remain in Britain, reported The Times.

The offender, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had initially won his case to stay in the UK after claiming he would face "inhuman or degrading treatment" if sent back to Pakistan due to his alcoholism.

Keep ReadingShow less
India launches Operation Brahma to aid quake-hit Myanmar

Rescue teams work to save residents trapped under the rubble of the destroyed Sky Villa Condominium development in Mandalay on March 29, 2025. (Photo by SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP via Getty Images)

India launches Operation Brahma to aid quake-hit Myanmar

INDIA has swiftly responded to the devastating earthquake in Myanmar by launching Operation Brahma, sending emergency relief and rescue teams to the disaster-stricken nation.

A C-130J military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force landed in Yangon on Saturday (29), carrying 15 tonnes of relief supplies including hygiene kits, blankets and food parcels. The aid mission comes after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday (28), killing more than 1,000 people and injuring nearly 2,400 others.

Keep ReadingShow less
Britain’s happiness crisis: UK hits record low in global wellbeing rankings

Pakistan stands at 109th place out of 147 countries

Britain’s happiness crisis: UK hits record low in global wellbeing rankings

THE UK has experienced a significant blow to its national morale, plummeting to 23rd place in the World Happiness Report for 2025 – its lowest ranking ever – despite being the world’s sixth richest nation.

Released to mark the UN’s International Day of Happiness last Thursday (20), the report provided a nuanced exploration of national contentment that extends far beyond economic measurements.

Keep ReadingShow less