Arrested for having a pint?

Arrested for drinking a pint in a pub?

Posted by James Cracknell on Jul 26, 11 01:24 PM in People

A CAMPAIGNER is threatening to sue the Met Police after he was arrested for having a drink in a pub.

Cliff Dixon, Hillingdon branch chairman of the English Democrats, was in central London to pay tribute to those killed in the 7/7 bombings when police swooped on him and 14 others.

The 'Bromley 15', so-called because they were taken to Bromley Police Station, were released the same night without charge, The Metropolitan Police has failed to explain why.

Mr Dixon, of Cowley High Street and well-known in Hayes, said: "I have put in a complaint to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). I am going to take it up with a lawyer. We think the police have broken their own rules."

The arrested group were part of a March for England event on Saturday, July 9, which included a visit to Tavistock Square. Mr Dixon explained: "We notified the police of the annual event and were advised that a small police presence would keep a respectful distance and observe.

"By 2pm, we decided to go to a pub local to one of our members - The Blind Beggar in Whitechapel. We placed our drinks orders before retiring to the beer garden.

"Within a few minutes, five police vans pulled up outside of the pub. Around 100 officers, some in riot gear, turned up outside. Around 30 officers flooded into the beer garden and we were asked to come inside for a quick word.

"I was advised that I was under arrest for 'breach of the peace'. When I asked why, they said they had 'intelligence' that we were here to upset an Islamic conference by the extremist group Hizb-ut-Tahrir.

"You have to ask yourself why, in 21st Century England, are there no-go areas that exist where forces control what can and cannot be said? This was a gross injustice."

Among the 15 were two teenage girls, and once released, none were given help by the police getting home. A Met spokesman said: "I can confirm a number of people were arrested.

"The fact a person has not been convicted means it would be wrong to reveal evidence. A person can be arrested if the officer has reasonable grounds to suspect an offence."

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