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Keir Starmer’s bizarre definition of ‘tolerance’

(Photo by Lewis Whyld-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

During his regular LBC phone-in, Keir Starmer was asked by one listener for his thoughts on the latest free speech saga. According to reports in the Telegraph, the Brexit activist Darren Grimes has been called in for questioning by the Met police over comments David Starkey made on his podcast.

Starmer responded with characteristic indecision when asked whether Starkey’s unpleasant comments warranted police investigation. He told listeners: 

I think it does sometimes have to involve the police, unfortunately. When I was director of public prosecutions there was a lot of focus on whether what people say on social media should be policed or not. There’s got to be a level of tolerance, of course. But there is a line that can be crossed and it’s very important that when it is crossed there is [police] involvement, in some cases prosecutions.

Starmer’s time at the Crown Prosecution Service did indeed come under scrutiny over the question of the legal limits of free speech on social media.

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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