Arrest of Leicester journalists

Summary

This House expresses its alarm at the arrest of journalists under the Terrorism Act, including two Leicester Gazette reporters and two union-accredited freelancers, who were covering a demonstration outside UAV Tactical Systems in Leicester, a subsidiary of the Israeli arms manufacturer, Elbit Systems on 8 October 2026; notes that the journalists had been blanket arrested under Section 13 and detained by police for three hours before they were de-arrested after handing over their personal information, despite the reporters having already identified themselves with their press credentials to multiple officers; and considers this police overreach to be a deeply concerning threat to the basic right of journalists to undertake the vital role they play in UK democracy.

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Timeline

1. 15 October 2026

   Early Day Motion

   This House expresses its alarm at the arrest of journalists under the Terrorism Act, including two Leicester Gazette reporters and two union-accredited freelancers, who were covering a demonstration outside UAV Tactical Systems in Leicester, a subsidiary of the Israeli arms manufacturer, Elbit Systems on 8 October 2026; notes that the journalists had been blanket arrested under Section 13 and detained by police for three hours before they were de-arrested after handing over their personal information, despite the reporters having already identified themselves with their press credentials to multiple officers; and considers this police overreach to be a deeply concerning threat to the basic right of journalists to undertake the vital role they play in UK democracy.

   Source: Early Day Motion

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Sponsors

• John McDonnell · Labour · Primary sponsor

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