The Orwellian persecution of a patriotic forces veteran

A former Royal Marine's shocking ordeal illustrates the threat to free speech in Britain

Every day, we are subjected to portentous sermons from politicians and media commentators warning us that authoritarian regimes which do not share our nation’s regard for freedom and liberty are constantly looking for ways to imperil our democracy. And whenever the alarm is sounded in this way, many will nod along in agreement and take comfort in the certain knowledge that Britain – a country in which citizens remain free, apparently, to express their thoughts and beliefs without fear of retribution by officialdom – is so much more civilised than these despotic places.

But then along comes a story to shake us from our complacency and remind us that we may not be so free and enlightened after all. Like the recent story of an ex-serviceman – a proud patriot and father of two – who was persecuted by state authorities in the most appalling fashion simply for having expressed views in the wake of the Southport massacre that, in a genuinely free society, would unarguably fall within the parameters of legitimate debate. Moreover, those views almost certainly happened to be shared by millions of the man’s fellow citizens.

In fact, no story has done more to convince me that freedom of expression and the right to dissent truly are under threat in our country - and in a way that would once have seemed unimaginable to us.