A boy only identified as “Fraser” is a 15-year-old supporter of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. He found himself searched and arrested by four officers from the West Midlands Police at his home, locked in a cell, fingerprinted, subjected to a DNA search, and taken for a mugshot. The police then searched his bedroom and telephone.
All of this was over his joking about how Bennett dressed in public.
The Telegraph reports that Fraser joked about how the Tory councilor had attended a meeting in a T-shirt and shorts. When Bennett later attended a subsequent meeting in a suit, Fraser commented that at least he was no longer “looking like a rent boy”, a derogatory term for homosexual prostitutes in Britain.
Bennett admits calling the police and portrays himself as the victim of this child: “The police have not arrested for no reason… There were a number of posts that targeted me… It was unpleasant and I was targeted by a child I had no way of dealing with.”
It is only the latest example of the anti-free speech culture that has taken hold in Britain, where the government has continued to expand speech criminalization policies.
In my book, “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage,” I discuss how free speech is in free fall in the United Kingdom, including the arrest of comedians and children engaged in playground taunts.
A man was convicted for sending a tweet while drunk referring to dead soldiers. Another was arrested for an anti-police T-shirt. Another was arrested for calling the Irish boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend a “leprechaun.” Yet another was arrested for singing “Kung Fu Fighting.” A teenager was arrested for protesting outside of a Scientology center with a sign calling the religion a “cult.”Last year, Nicholas Brock, 52, was convicted of a thought crime in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The neo-Nazi was given a four-year sentence for what the court called his “toxic ideology” based on the contents of the home he shared with his mother in Maidenhead, Berkshire.
While most of us find Brock’s views repellent and hateful, they were confined to his head and his room. Yet, Judge Peter Lodder QC dismissed free speech or free thought concerns with a truly Orwellian statement: “I do not sentence you for your political views, but the extremity of those views informs the assessment of dangerousness.”
Lodder lambasted Brock for holding Nazi and other hateful values:
“[i]t is clear that you are a right-wing extremist, your enthusiasm for this repulsive and toxic ideology is demonstrated by the graphic and racist iconography which you have studied and appeared to share with others…”
Even though Lodder agreed that the defendant was older, had limited mobility, and “there was no evidence of disseminating to others,” he still sent him to prison for holding extremist views.
After the sentencing, Detective Chief Superintendent Kath Barnes, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE), warned others that he was going to prison because he “showed a clear right-wing ideology with the evidence seized from his possessions during the investigation….We are committed to tackling all forms of toxic ideology which has the potential to threaten public safety and security.”
There remain, however, some in Britain who want to restore free speech. Lawyers for Fraser are planning to sue over wrongful arrest and false imprisonment. However, their client still remains in the criminal justice system. Many have suggested it was his support for Farage that drew the ire of this politician and the police.
Britain is a cautionary tale for our own country. While this speech would be clearly protected in the United States, there is a growing anti-free speech movement in this country that is aligned with European censors.
For his part, Bennett seems unrepentant in punishing his critics. He previously discussed his purpose as a public servant: “you’ve obviously got to find a unique selling point for yourself as well for people to buy into that. So the thing for me, is to find that unique selling point, find those single issues that matter to people.” He certainly has found his “selling point,” though it is tragically not “unique” in Britain.
As this case shows, censorship is the rage in Europe, and free speech is rapidly going out of fashion.
Jonathan Turley is a law professor and the New York Times best-selling author of “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution.”
I appreciate the professor for bringing examples up of how fragile freedom of speech is in the world. I pray we in America never surrender our rights. Whether I agree or disagree with you, I will never deny your right to speak.
Makes me sad. But it’s the logical outcome of tyranny. It is absolutely batpoop insane that this happening in the West in 2026. People here that nod along (and I’m talking about older people) need to check their brains and see beyond their next Instagram like. The world will not survive this, unchecked, and it would appear the burden is on us, yet again.
Why sad? Its none of your, any American’s, business what happens in the UK or any other country how they regulate private and public speech.
I hate to break the news to you, but the concept “free speech” was never a historical norm and still not a worldwide accepted concept. It wasn’t in 1775, or before. Or after.
A politician gets insulted and has the kid arrested? Seriously? Now they have thought crimes? Really? Do the Brits know that George Orwell wrote a novel about this very subject? Now it is reality.
If you read and understood the article the kid committed a crime. It took place in the UK with a different legal system wholly unlike the USA’s.
Quietman? You should stay quiet about issues you can’t comprehended.
I am commenting on how ridiculous it is a child gets arrested for a politicians thin skin. The politician even admits being thin skinned. If you are good with that, that is fine. I suppose you are OK with thought crime too.
So you’re good with arresting kids for saying the king has no clothes right? that’s what you got from that story? seriously?
Yes but you’re not considering the great amount of satisfaction Wolverhampton City Council, Simon Bennett gets from abusing his authority like this.
If this kid suffers, that’s a price Wolverhampton City Council, Simon Bennett is willing to pay! His pride is of utmost consideration considering how immensely fragile it is. Wolverhampton City Council, Simon Bennett feels you are not understanding his great importance to humanity! Extraordinary rendition may be called for to silence this boy as he is a danger to the very foundations of civilization says Wolverhampton City Council, Simon Bennett.
Turley: “The neo-Nazi was given a four-year sentence for what the court called his “toxic ideology”
Apparently the British method of fighting Nazis is to have the courts and police staffed with Nazis.
Staffed? You’re assuming that the UK has a political party of National Socialists, aka Nazis? You’re a very ignorant ans stupid old man, mate. You embarrass yourself.
But terrorists attempting to blow up a RAF Base are released on bail. A very very sick country
Good point.
However, there are times when condemning and forbidding deceitful horse crap from publication is important. Jim Bakker was up to his old tricks, pushing some kind of miracle cure for Covid and he was stopped. • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a joint warning letter to Jim Bakker. The agencies ordered him to immediately cease making unproven claims that his colloidal silver products could cure, eliminate, or treat COVID-19.”
Fauci and his ilk did not want anyone to buy into nonsense promising some unique formula offered the same deterrence to combat Covid as those rigorously tested and approved, for which he has received endless condemnation.
Blow-up? There were no explosives in their possession. A very stupid commenter indeed.
We seem appalled by the actions of these moronic/ woke/ prog-indoctrinated types in Europe yet almost half of this nation is going to vote next month to ensure that these toxic policies will find purchase here under the dem/DSA party.
I really feel that some sort of practical intelligence test needs to be applied before voting.
The American folk, such as they are, are upset that resisting Russian aggression and Persian piracy have raised their gas prices. It’s a good thing this generation wasn’t needed on D-Day, but given what the Democrats have turned into, I’m beginning to wonder why we bothered with D-Day.
Diogenes: ” I’m beginning to wonder why we bothered with D-Day.”
Some Brit WW II vets are saying much the same. They fought a totalitarian regime only to end up with one at home. Wasn’t worth it.
It’s becoming a meme. It’s funny now but for how long?
Diogenes, Thank you for that. Very funny.
Dio, we engaged in D-day because we were storing our riches in heaven. Imo of course…
Diogenes, I think people are most involved with their pocketbooks and look at the freedoms they presently have in their specific environment, to the exclusion of others now or their own in the future.
and having children
Two hundred fifty years since losing their valuable colonies in North America in major part because of their restrictions on freedom of speech, the British still haven’t learned their lesson. I suspect they never will.
What lesson did they not learn?
Aww. Po’ Rent Boy got his feewings hurt.
Could 15 year olds in the US faced the same: Nina Jankowicz’s?
What sells as permissible/political/PC humor around the globe:
United States: Saturday Night Live
France: Saturday Night Dead
UK: Saturday Night Nostalgia
Brazil: Saturday Night Festa Nekked
China: Saturday Night NO NOs
Iran: Saturday Night Oh Ohs
Cuba: Saturday Night. For Free.
Iceland: Saturday Night Cold
Japan: Sunday Morning Live*
*see International time zones map
But in the meantime there was a (sounds like cultural) revenge arson where a mother and daughter were in the house and when the mother tried to escape she was set on fire–and some of those men got just months?
I would like to know the sales numbers for three books in the U.K. The Indispensable Right, Rage and The Republic, and Senator John Kennedy’s How to Test Negative For Stupid.
And to think Britain used to be known for intense debate and sharp humor. Now they are known for jailing people for online posts. But a 15 year old? Just unimaginable. Bennett should be charged with abuse of power.
Here’s another example of a female unwilling to condemn a person who broke the law. Females can’t understand responsibility and accountability. Not to mention no grasp of basic legal tenets.
Brilliant analysis.
Thought you’d agree. You’re welcome. Come back if you need more analysis.
Be careful with your analysis anon. If you were in the UK someone may arbitrarily declare what you wrote was sexist and “hate speech”. That would land you in jail.
Perhaps then you’d learn an ounce of critical thinking. Now go bot somewhere else.
Listen stupid anon. We’re not in the UK. Get it? Lay off the drugs you idiot.
Now they are known for jailing people for online posts.
On the bright side of life, in Blue states in America, Democrats would ensure that the boy would have his huevos cut off, provided estrogen hormones, a bad wig, gawdy makeup and offered an Olympic medal in Boxing championships.
😂
“And to think Britain used to be known for intense debate and sharp humor. ”
Kristin: The British lost the war and are now French. The French lost the war and are now a third-world country.
Bah haha – a bunch of British Ninnies! You just can’t respect the British anymore. They are either woke to their own detriment or they are thin-skinned wimps that still think highly of themselves. In the end they are just simpletons.
They are a valuable example of what not to do for all the other countries on earth!
The United Kingdom, and by extension, Lesser Britain, are on the way toward the ash heap of history. They need a revolution soon to prevent such a disaster.
Revolution? And who’s gonna lead it and on what premise? Got brandy in your tea this morning?
Revolution need not be violent. A revolution can happen through elections. We have seen that all over the world many times.
Although I understand how an antifa stooge may not understand the concepts of either non-violence or elections.
So a revolution in UK can be done without violence just by elections?
All over the world huh? Good, let’s see the facts now.
Idiot child.
What’s your problem bub?
I wish I could have people arrested for calling me an old white man…. Seems EVERYONE is protected except for the old white men…well Young white men don’t have it so well.
A girl can have sex with you and she isn’t happy…you go to prison for LIFE!
“A girl can have sex with you and she isn’t happy…you go to prison for LIFE!” That depends on what you do with her, right? If its made of plastic. Lucky for you she can’t resist or file a sexual assault complaint.
There’s a reason why old white men get no respect and you’re it.
It’s true under the law. Society decided that women lose their agency when they drink, but men do not (only a little bit chauvinist don’t you think?). Some states even allow this ridiculous fallacy if a woman voluntarily becomes intoxicated and shows up at your house and you were not aware of the amount of alcohol consumed.
In college they had the posters of “Jim and Jane got drunk together and had sex, Jane was raped by Jim.” When I asked the Associate Dean of Students (at my university this is the person in charge of student punishments, so I knew her well) about this twisted logic she just starred at the poster. I asked if Jim was raped too? Would this not create a race to the Dean’s office to file a complaint. She looked at me and said it wouldn’t matter because the policy states only the woman can get raped. I told her that was one of the saddest things for women’s rights I’d ever heard.
Most universities have updated this draconian policy, but not all. Thankfully my alma mater has.
Good for you. Everyone may be lucky if frat house free girl wasn’t packing a deadly STD.
Alma mater… Rikers?
Yeah, this reeks of adult stupidity… a 15-year-old makes a stupid joke. Instead of adults bringing perspective, proportionality, and perhaps simply saying, “Knock it off, kid,” the machinery of adulthood apparently escalates it into a criminal matter.
“apparently escalates it into a criminal matter.” Not apparently, they did, deservedly so. He FAFO’d.
You are the living embodiment of 2 brain cells fighting for 3rd place.
Please keep posting. Your ignorance is an excellent GOTV tool for November.
You are the living embodiment of 2 brain cells fighting for 3rd place.
“deservedly so.” you support Wolverhampton City Council, Simon Bennett’s fragile ego? you must be joking or CCP.
No human being that has an ounce of integrity would support this sort of petty abuse of power on a kid.
And here you are taking advantage of free speech that you would deny that kid. you’re a disgrace!
Here’s some free speech for you, American-style:
Simon Bennett’s “looking like a rent boy” and he’s a pathetic shameless person too. And you get lumped in with him now too.
Why say knock it off? The kid’s a constituent whose view is the emperor has no clothes. Get on with council issues or prove him correct.
Nobody does Fascism like the far left around the world. They took the lessons of Nazi Germany, Mussolini’s Italy, and Stalin’s Russia to heart. Rent boys take note: if your feelings are hurt you can unleash the power of the British state upon those who mock you.
What does fascism have to do with a 15 year old boy?
Everything in this instance. Free speech is always the first casualty in a dictatorship. Every time I think the Brits have shocked me and it can’t get worse, it does and they do again.
Really? The kid knew that he would get into trouble, yet he did it. BTW, what he did is not “free speech” in the UK. Do you get that?
Obviously Americans are too dumb to realize that other countries have other rules.
you are correct..they don’t HAVE FREE SPEECH in the UK
The concept of “free speech” is not limited by borders. This is obviously a concept you do not understand. Free speech is a human right endowed by our creator (or nature or whatever, you have it simply by existing). It is NOT something granted or allowed by the government, despite what any government megalomaniac wants to believe.
The UK has on their own Human Rights Act with the recognition of free speech. However, they then subsequently carve out a million exceptions that revolve almost entirely on the LISTENERS emotions. Which is that antithesis of all logic and legal precedence as well as their own existing acknowledgement of human rights.
This is such an obvious concept I am amazed at your own shocking voluntary ignorance (well, not really, you’re a paid bot or a lonely troll). Keep up the great GOTV work!
What he *wrote* is free speech everywhere. The UK has no right to make laws against it. “Other countries” are not entitled to make “other rules” against the fundamental rights that all human beings possess. That it does make such laws makes it an unfree country, exactly like North Korea or China. And exactly like Nazi Germany or the USSR.
“Nobody does Fascism like the far left around the world.”
True, but doesn’t fit the story.
Simon Bennett is a conservative/Tory.
Ouch!
Perhaps gay men engaged in sex work should complain that they’ve been compared to this Councillor. Of course, then Fraser would have a whole new round of troubles. (Yes, I use that word as an historical reference).
I tried to read the Telegraph piece for myself but it is behind a paywall. The way it is presented here is that Fraser is being punished for saying the politician does NOT (“no longer”) look like a rent boy.
While Fraser appears to have said Bennet does not look like a rent boy, if he had Bennet should be proud. There is no other person or group our society venerates more than homos. In America, we devote an entire month to honor them, heap praise on them, and to promote, celebrate and encourage their sexual orientation.
While it appears Fraser did not, in fact, say Bennet looks like a rent boy, if he had Bennet should be proud to be compared to such an esteemed group. Why he would choose to call the police for them to investigate the kid is baffling.
Some folks just have a hard time accepting compliments.
Because the kid is right!
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn0dg1qxxllo
If “thought crimes” by British subjects in the UK can be labeled “toxic ideology” resulting in actual prison time in that once-rational nation, when might we see prosecutions for Muslim fundamentalist adherents of Sharia Law there? Orwell was so spot-on that it is chilling. Happy Halloween.
What happens in the UK is not much different than what goes down here every day. The irrelevance to the outright deranged comments and then the local thought police charge in, attack a commenter and demand Turley ban so-and-so or then move on to a new target. Plays out everyday here. The truly sad thing is this is a bunch of old men acting out, as if in a playground. Old men … 60, 70, 80 year old men acting like Karens. Well done you pathetic and laughable geriatrics.
Bless your heart.
Anon was also referring to you Karen.
Orwell was a genius and a prognosticator.
And a drunk and a lowlife. Seems you have a eye for quality men.
So in other words, that politician IS a homosexual. Otherwise he would have no grounds for being offended. What is there to be offended by if he isn’t one? And the UK, along with the USA and other countries: including levels of the German government itself, armed and financed both sides in WW2. That has been public information for at least 70 years. Read any book from Professor Antony C. Sutton on this topic – Wall St., and the Rise of Hitler; Wall St., and FDR; National Suicide – which was more about arming and financing the USSR but look at it. That means that they armed and financed the Nazis. To arrest or intimidate someone over supposed Nazi related themes proves guilt. That’s the thing, today no one just says, oh well…think what you want. Remember the good old days when you would just shrug it off and say, ” eh, so what? ”
And Wolverhampton is home to one of my favorite musicians, Nick Blinko of the band Rudimentary Peni.
The crazies are out early today. Anyone see George X?
Dog kennels haven’t opened, rent boy. 😂
no grounds for being offended? I’m sure this fragile being can think of many ways to be offended and we have to pretend to care about his delicate state.
I think the boy somehow struck too close to the truth. I’m glad I can sit here in the USA and call him a wanker all I want. Simon Bennett is a wanker.