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May 30, 2025 – UK –
A British court has declared a Metropolitan Police raid on journalist Asa Winstanley’s home unlawful, in a decision being hailed as a major victory for press freedom. Winstanley, known for his investigative work with The Electronic Intifada and his newsletter “Palestine is Still the Issue,” had his North London residence searched in October 2024 under counter-terrorism powers.
During the early morning raid, officers seized multiple electronic devices, including his phone and laptop. The investigation stemmed from Winstanley’s social media posts related to Palestine, with police citing suspicions of offenses under the UK’s Terrorism Acts of 2000 and 2006. Although Winstanley was never arrested or charged, the incident sparked serious concerns about press intimidation and abuse of power.
The Central Criminal Court, under Judge Mark Lucraft KC, found that the search warrants used were “obviously unlawful” and should never have been issued. The judge criticized the police for failing to provide sufficient justification and for overlooking legal protections afforded to journalists, especially regarding source confidentiality and freedom of expression.
The police also attempted to obtain a production order to access Winstanley’s devices post-raid, but the court denied this request. All seven items taken were returned, and the police were prohibited from analyzing any data retrieved from them.
Winstanley, backed by the National Union of Journalists, described the ordeal as a “chilling attempt” to silence critical journalism. He is now seeking an official apology, compensation, and a complete end to the investigation. His lawyer, Tayab Ali, emphasized that the police actions posed a direct threat to democracy and press independence.
The Metropolitan Police have acknowledged the court’s decision and stated they are reviewing the judgment to guide future operations involving journalists. However, the broader investigation against Winstanley remains technically ongoing.
This case highlights growing tensions between national security operations and journalistic freedom in the UK, raising urgent questions about how authorities handle dissent and reporting on sensitive political issues.
Reference –
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/raid-asa-winstanleys-home-deemed-unlawful-court-ruling
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/police-raid-journalist-asa-winstanleys-home-ruled-unlawful
