A police officer once admitted to me that he joined up “for the fighting”, but I probably shouldn’t go there. He was a one-off.
It’s fair to say that almost every young man or woman in the UK who swears the police oath wants, hopes and expects to spend most of their time catching villains or at least keeping people and property safe.
I can’t imagine many are motivated by the prospect of arresting a middle-aged man for something he wrote on social media, four months earlier, and who was 5,000 miles outside Britain at the time.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Explainer: What you can’t say online
Especially during a period of violent immigration protests, spiralling shoplifting and continuing knife crime.
And where was the imminent threat to life that required the arresting officers to be carrying guns?
If anyone was in danger, it was Graham Linehan, who was rushed to hospital with stress, but I doubt he saw the funny side.
Rape Crisis Scotland urged to abide with UK Supreme Court ruling amid vacancy for ‘woman-only’ role
Fresh case launched after gender ruling – amid claims policies in schools and prisons are ‘in clear breach of the law’
Dispute between nurse Sandie Peggie and transgender doctor Beth Upton posed ‘no risk to patients’
Ok, the law on inciting violence exists and has to be policed, but there are different ways of policing.
Did they think Graham Linehan was a flight risk? He hardly seems so.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
He could have been arrested at home or even invited with a solicitor for an interview at a police station.
Read more on Sky News:
Met in ‘impossible position’ over Linehan arrest
Rayner admits stamp duty error
Truss calls for Trump-style revolution
Or the officers could have waited three days to a time when they knew exactly where he would be.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
He is due at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday in another case.
