Allison Pearson receives payout and apology from Essex policing chief after row over X post

Allison Pearson has received a hefty payout and an apology from Essex's policing chief after a row over a social media post.

The journalist sued Roger Hirst for defamation when Essex’s police and crime commissioner (PCC)

Mrs Pearson was visited by two police officers at her home on Remembrance Sunday in 2024, who informed her she was "under investigation" for a post on X in 2023.

The police alleged she had incited racial hatred. However, the investigation was later closed while Essex officers did not take any action.

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At the time, the surprise police visit triggered national outrage over how Labour treated alleged hate crime and non-crime incidents online.

Previously, Mr Hirst said "we can’t go around ignoring crimes just because it’s politically sensitive".

A High Court judge ruled Mr Hirst’s comments could be seen as defamatory.

Subsequently, the PCC issued an apology, acknowledging the "damage and hurt" caused to the Telegraph columnist.

He agreed to hand over "substantial" damages of five-figures.

Ms Pearson has brought another case of defamation against Essex Police, which remains ongoing.

In his statement, Mr Hirst said: "I wish to apologise to Allison Pearson, the Daily Telegraph journalist, for accusations I made about her in an interview I gave to Lewis Goodall of LBC on November 17 2024, and in an article I wrote for Conservative Home, which I later published on my own website.

"I intended to address wider issues about hate crimes and policing rather than to make accusations against her personally, but I accept, as the High Court has found, that I did accuse her personally.

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"I should not have made those allegations against her.

"I am very sorry for the damage and hurt I have caused to her, and I have agreed to pay her substantial damages and costs in recognition of that."

The solicitor, Mark Lewis, said: "It is very regrettable that the elected PCC who is meant to hold the police to account on behalf of the people who elected him chose to protect the police rather than the public who voted for him.

"I hope he does not expect the public to pay for his actions."

Upon winning the case, Mrs Pearson said she was "delighted" after she was left "deeply distressed" by the comments made by the Essex police chief - and said that she hoped her victory "sends a message to elected commissioners".

She told The Telegraph: "The fact remains that this should never have happened.

"It is deplorable that over 12,000 of our fellow citizens were targeted each year for social media posts [before NCHIs were abolished], often on the say-so of unknown individuals who need only claim to have experienced offence or hatred.

"It’s hard to think of anything less British. Although the damage was done to me on Remembrance Sunday, two tier political policing affects anyone with a different viewpoint.

"My case against Essex Police continues."

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