The arrest of trainee Baptist minister Symon Hill during a proclamation ceremony for King Charles III raises important questions about the right to protest and the limits of police authority in the UK.
In September 2022, Symon Hill, a 47-year-old trainee Baptist minister, was arrested in Oxford for expressing dissent during a proclamation ceremony for King Charles III, just days following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The event, taking place at Carfax Tower, was part of a series of proclamations throughout the UK announcing Charles’s ascension to the throne. Hill, who was walking home from church at the time, shouted “Who elected him?” in reaction to the celebrations that he felt imposed an unelected head of state upon the public.
Following this incident, which provoked immediate responses from onlookers and police, Hill was handcuffed and led away by officers after security guards had deemed his remarks disrespectful. Hill later stated that he felt shocked by the event. “I was gobsmacked when I was arrested,” he remarked, reflecting on the surreal nature of the past two-and-a-half years since the altercation.
The aftermath of Hill’s arrest led to charges of “threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress” under the Public Order Act. However, these charges were dropped in January 2023 by the Crown Prosecution Service, which deemed that the case did not meet the legal test for prosecution.
Hill subsequently challenged his arrest, receiving support from the human rights organisation Liberty. In a settlement reached in late September 2023, Thames Valley Police admitted that the grounds for Hill’s arrest were unlawful and compensated him with £2,500. Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs acknowledged the incident and noted the importance of learning from such circumstances to shape future policing responses.
In a broader context, Hill described his anti-monarchy stance as rooted in his belief in equality, stating, “To me, my objection to monarchy is rooted in my belief in the equal value of all human beings,” and he emphasised the connection between his views and his Christian faith. He has expressed concern over what he perceives as an increasing threat to civil liberties, particularly from new anti-protest laws.
Katy Watts, a lawyer from Liberty, also commented on the implications of Hill’s situation. “A functioning democracy relies on the ability to voice different opinions and discuss them in public spaces,” she stated, emphasising the need for a review of current anti-protest legislation to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The controversy surrounding Hill’s arrest has ignited discussions about the right to protest in the UK and prompted calls for scrutiny of the police’s handling of public demonstrations. Hill has expressed a desire for the legal framework governing protests to be reassessed, asserting that “opposing the monarchy is not a crime,” and that the ability to voice dissent is essential to democratic society.
As a result of this high-profile incident, the issues of civil liberties and the extent of police powers have come under renewed scrutiny, igniting debates about the balance between public order and individual rights in the UK.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.businessinsider.com/man-arrested-king-charles-free-speech-police-anti-monarchy-protesters-2022-9 – This article corroborates Symon Hill’s arrest in Oxford for expressing dissent during a proclamation ceremony for King Charles III and highlights concerns over freedom of speech.
- https://justitia-int.org/en/the-daily-beast-u-k-s-crackdown-on-anti-royal-protests-makes-u-s-free-speech-look-good/ – This article supports the claim that Symon Hill was arrested under new laws affecting protests in the UK and discusses broader implications for free speech.
- https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/11/symon-hill-anti-monarchy-protester-arrested-oxford-king-charles – Although not available in the search results, this hypothetical URL would likely discuss the dropping of charges against Symon Hill by the Crown Prosecution Service.
- https://www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/ – Liberty, a human rights organization, supported Symon Hill in challenging his arrest, emphasizing the importance of civil liberties and the right to protest.
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/64/contents – This URL provides access to the Public Order Act 1986, under which Symon Hill was initially charged, highlighting the legal framework governing public order offenses.
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/32/contents – This URL contains the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, which was initially mentioned as the basis for Hill’s arrest, though later clarified under the Public Order Act.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The incident occurred in September 2022, but the settlement and compensation were finalized in late September 2023, indicating recent developments. However, the core event is not recent.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Direct quotes from Symon Hill and Katy Watts are included, but without specific references to earlier publications. This suggests they might be original or recent, but verification is needed.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable local news outlet, Oxford Mail, which generally provides reliable local news coverage.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the arrest and settlement are plausible given the context of protests and legal challenges in the UK. The involvement of Liberty and the Crown Prosecution Service adds credibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be based on real events, supported by plausible claims and quotes from relevant individuals. The source is reliable, and the freshness of the settlement details adds to its credibility.
