Ex-head's terror arrest shock over protest cartoon

Jon Farley was held by police for nearly six hours

A man arrested under the Terrorism Act for carrying a print-out of a Private Eye cartoon at a Palestinian solidarity rally has said he is "worried" about the implications of the incident for freedom of speech.

Jon Farley, 67, was held by police for nearly six hours on Saturday after being detained at a demonstration in Leeds. He was bailed and told on Monday he would face no further action.

Retired head teacher Mr Farley was carrying a placard bearing a print of a cartoon about the government's proscribing of Palestine Action, which had appeared in the satirical magazine.

West Yorkshire Police said it would consider any "learning" from the incident, which was first reported by The Guardian.

Mr Farley told the BBC officers "made a beeline" for him as the silent demonstration passed Kirkgate Market and handcuffed him before taking him to Elland Road Police Station.

Upon being told he was being arrested under the Terrorism Act because of the placard, he said he offered to show the police the original cartoon from a copy of Private Eye in his backpack, but that officers refused.

The cartoon commented on the banning of Palestine Action after two RAF planes were sprayed with red paint last month, by highlighting it alongside the killings of civilians seeking aid by Israeli forces in Gaza.

Mr Farley, who is from Leeds, said: "I couldn't quite believe it was happening.

"They carried me to the van and all the way I'm saying, 'It's a cartoon from Private Eye. This is daft'."

Mr Farley described the experience as a "miserable" one and that he was close to tears while being questioned by counter-terrorism officers.

The cartoon was a replica of one that been printed in Private Eye

"The interview just felt absurd," he said.

"I just thought, these are counter-terrorism officers. Surely you're looking at me and knowing I'm not a threat to anybody."

West Yorkshire Police said a 67-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of demonstrating support for a proscribed organisation but that a review found the alleged offence was "not made out".

A spokesperson said: "We are sorry that the man involved is unhappy with the circumstances of this arrest.

"As this is a new proscribed organisation, West Yorkshire Police is considering any individual or organisational learning from this incident."

'It worries me'

Mr Farley said he would like a "proper apology" from the force.

"They got it wrong and I'd really like to see if they will learn from this," he said.

"They made a mistake and everybody makes mistakes, but it felt like 'action first, think later'.

"If I'd been a threat or looking like I was going to harm somebody, then (I would understand).

"It worries me. Obviously people have to obey the law and I was, but we have to have discussions and to question things.

"The government isn't always right is it?"

Mr Farley said he was planning to attend another a Palestinian solidarity march in Leeds this weekend and that he was grateful for the many messages of support he had received.

He also said he felt "vindicated" by Private Eye editor Ian Hislop, who told The Guardian the arrest was "ludicrous".

"It was wonderful to read that because he is in a position of influence and I've always had a huge amount of respect for him," Mr Farley said.

"It was a relief, frankly, to see someone talking common sense about it."

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