The Arrest Of Graham Linehan-Could Officers Have Refused To Undertake The Arrest And Be Thrown Under The Proverbial Bus?

Reflections on another headline making airport incident. Former Met Officer Chris Hobbs today writes in the Havering Daily.

So, the Commissioner commendably speaks out in relation to the controversial arrest of Graham Linehan and this appears to have actually made an impact upon politicians who acknowledge that officers have a near impossible task in enforcing laws passed by a democratically elected Parliament. 

Of course, those of us who have left the job could argue that we would have refused to undertake the arrest had the task been imposed on us or the officers under our supervision. In the current atmosphere, whereby officers are being thrown under the proverbial bus with disturbing regularity, that may be a principled course of action but also, potentially, a career threatening one. 

The incident was seized upon by those whose timelines show, over recent times, frequent hostility towards police and lies alongside the constant stream of fake and distorted news now prevalent upon social media.

There was also much uninformed criticism in relation to how the arrest was carried out. Having worked at Heathrow as a Special Branch detective, arrests from flights were and I’m sure still are, routine and occur frequently. UK airports are policed almost entirely by armed officers for reasons which should be obvious to even the most dull- witted patriot or revolutionary leftist.

How and why.

We may learn, at some stage in the future, what brought this arrest about. It could be that the case officer discovered that Graham was on the flight and contacted Heathrow directly, asking them to make the arrest. We still don’t know which force was/is responsible for the investigation.

It could be that Graham was, as the result of the allegations, shown as wanted/missing on the Police National Computer having been placed there by aninvestigating officer. Thanks to a border control system originally known as ‘e-borders’ details of those on flight manifests which are due to leave or arrive in the UK are ‘bounced’ off various databases/watchlists including the Police National Computer. Those of interest, including those who are wanted by police are ‘flagged’ to National Border Targeting Centre (NBTC) officers who then notify the relevant force/agency. 

The unit began life as the Joint Border Operations Centre (JBOC) and was based near Heathrow before it was rebranded and re-located to Manchester. The technology was a massive step forward in terms of keeping our borders safe but, to state the obvious, is totally ineffective against those arriving illicitly via rubber dingeys. 

Why five armed officers.

So, however Graham came to notice, the task of arresting him would, as is routine, be allocated to armed airport officers. Passengers would be asked to remain in their seats as the aircraft comes ‘on stand’ to allow officers to board and make the arrest. 

If the suspect is compliant then five officers may look excessive, however there is no guarantee that will be the case. Whilst the booking would have been checked and will have shown him to be travelling alone, it cannot be assumed that this is the actually the case. The suspect could have one or several travelling companions who have separate bookings and could create a problematic issue as officers attempt to make an arrest. 

Even if the suspect is actually travelling alone, other passengers could object and obstruct officers. Finally, the suspect him or herself could violently resist and extracting a combative individual from the narrow confines of anaircraft is no easy task hence specific training given to airport officers. 

The well-publicised incident at Manchester Airport where armed officers were injured albeit in the terminal building rather than on the plane, demonstrates how quickly a situation can escalate. 

Inevitably, social media began to reverberate with stories of ill-treatment including a strip search. In fact, Graham’s own version of events on his Sub-Stack account suggests that his treatment was civilised and there was no suggestion of a strip search. His becoming unwell was promptly tended to by means of a trip to hospital.

Unanswered questions.

What was slightly puzzling was the interview in respect of the allegations, which appears to have taken place at Heathrow Police Station. Normally the suspect, now a prisoner, would be collected by officers from the station investigating but it could be that because of the nature of the allegation, a local officer carried out the preliminary interview or an investigating officer travelled to Heathrow. It may have been envisaged that Graham being bailed was always going to be the likely outcome pending a final decision as to a charge or NFA. 

Also unknown is the role that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) may have played in the immediate aftermath of the investigation commencing. Officers are only too well aware of the nightmare that surrounds allegations which are related to malicious communication or ‘hurty words’ thus the luckless investigating officer or his/her supervisor may have sought advice from the CPS at this early stage. 

Consequences. 

In any event, whilst concern in relation to the arrest extends well beyond those on the far right, the fact is that the incident has already become part of the folklore which includes fake and distorted news: This, in turn, becomes set in ‘tablets of stone’ within minutes of appearing on social media. Fake or distorted news in relation to policing has, for years, been endemic amongst those of the hard-left and can still be seen there but is now largely the province of the far right. 

 This Heathrow incident has spawned a social media pile on against the Met and its officers with all, yet again, being collectively smeared primarily by those on the far right. Free speech will doubtless feature on Saturday as reportedly one thousand individuals will again deliberately defy terrorist legislation which proscribes Palestine Action. This, however, will emanate from those on the left rather than the right. 

The ‘free speech’ issue will probably be a factor during the main Palestine national march this Saturday when the ‘please Miss’ syndrome will rear its head again; this involves those from both sides rushing up to officers and complaining about placards and chants of their rivals. 

Interestingly, Suella Braverman has linked the Heathrow incident with pro-Palestine protests claiming, erroneously that those protests were poorly policed and out of control. Interestingly Bir Brother Watch has just taken to the media claiming that the pro-Palestinian group Youth Demand have been unfairly persecuted by Met officers. Braveman has called for the resignation of Sir. Mark. 

Once again, Met officers, already affected by cuts and unwelcome reorganisation, find themselves in the eye of a storm which will accelerate collapsing morale. On the 13thof September in central London, Met officers, assisted by those from other forces will find themselves as ‘meat in the sandwich,’ between two rival groups each likely to number many thousands. 

Both these groups, from the anti-racist left and the patriotic right, despite their detestation of each other, will share one common denominator; their loathing of police. 

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.