UK Catholic Journalist Arrested Over Allegedly Sending Offensive Messages

Undated photograph of a police officer taking down notes at the scene of a crime in England. PA

A gender-critical Catholic mother and journalist has detailed her experience after police arrested her at her home on suspicion of malicious communications offences.

Caroline Farrow, a journalist and mother-of-four, wrote a lengthy statement on Twitter about her arrest by Surrey Police at her home in southern England on Monday night while she was cooking a roast chicken.

She claims police told her she had written “some insulting messages on the internet.” Police seized all her electronic devices as potential evidence.

Farrow said that the row stems from anonymous posts shared on an internet forum called Kiwi Farms. She said that police showed her a series of posts from the site, but she told them she “wasn’t responsible for these posts.”

Farrow told GB News’ Mark Steyn that she has “been arrested for what was a Twitter spat about gender issues” and that the allegation was made ”by a certain person.”

She told Steyn that she has been released under investigation and that she doesn’t know whether she is going to be charged.

Commentary on Social Media

A Surrey Police spokesman told The Epoch Times by email that on Oct. 3 officers attended an address in the Guildford area as part of an investigation into allegations of malicious communications (sending of indecent, grossly offensive messages, threats, or information) and harassment. He added that a 48-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of both offences and taken to the station where she was interviewed.

He said that she “has now been released under investigation and inquiries remain ongoing.”

Police said that “under section 19 of PACE [the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984],” they can seize items if “an offence is alleged to have been committed on an electronic device,” as it may “hold a key piece of evidence and may routinely be seized during an investigation.”

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector David Bentley told The Epoch Times by email that “the investigation into these allegations is very much ongoing and the relevant inquiries are being carried out.”

“When we receive an allegation of a crime, in this instance one where a grossly offensive message is said to have been communicated, it is our job to assess it alongside any available evidence to identify if an offence has been committed. If it has, we gather further evidence and carry out an investigation to prove or disprove the allegation. That is exactly the process that is being followed in this case,” said Bentley.

“We have a duty to protect the integrity of an investigation, so we will not be providing a running commentary on this case,” he added.

Live Police Investigation

A spokesman for Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend told The Epoch Times by email that she is “aware of concerns that have been raised on social media about the arrest of a woman at her home in Surrey yesterday on suspicion of malicious communications offences.”

“Our office has been in contact with Surrey Police today to seek clarification around the circumstances of the investigation and subsequent arrest,” he added.

The spokesman said that Townsend has previously “been clear in her personal views on the debate around sex and gender and the wider debate around the policing of social or political issues.”

“Whilst she understands the concerns that have been raised in this case, it is important to stress this is a live police investigation and whilst that remains ongoing it would not be right to comment further at this stage. That process must be respected and the Commissioner will be taking a keen interest in the outcome,” he added.