Overview

• Pete North, 47, was arrested at about 9:30pm at his home in Easingwold on suspicion of publishing or distributing material intended to stir up racial hatred under Section 19 of the Public Order Act.
• He was taken to Harrogate police station, interviewed around 1am, and released without charge on unconditional bail until December 21 as inquiries continue.
• The arrest followed his August 5 post of a meme reading “F*** Hamas, F*** Palestine, F*** Islam,” which he says he still endorses.
• Footage of the arrest shows officers citing a review by a “hate crime team” that found potential offenses to explore, prompting criticism from the Free Speech Union.
• Reporting places the episode within a broader UK debate over police responses to online posts, referencing recent cases involving Graham Linehan and Lucy Connolly.