Police interviewing Caroline Farrow under caution and threatening to arrest her for "misgendering"

[Pimmsnlemonade]

twitter.com/CF_Farrow/status/1107787009614065664

And, as she says in the thread:

"Meanwhile a group of people have terrified and harassed my family. Doxed my children, made violent and sexual threats, signed me up to porn accounts, did the same to my husband, threatened to visit here. And tumbleweed..."

When the next report on trans hate crimes and incidents comes out, no one with half a brain is going to take it seriously. How many of the incidents are to do with 'misgendering'?

I also think this is being driven by the CPS. They need to be careful though, they are subject to the Freedom of Information Act:

I've just seen this on the FOI site about Miranda Yardley. Someone asked for all the information about Miranda's case.

They seem to be viewing this as a vexatious request, although the request is still open with a date of reply by 11th April.

www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/miranda_yardley#incoming-1328611

www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/557847/response/1328611/attach/html/2/WILLIAMS%208373.doc.html

I wonder if the response to this needs to be to attack in kind. After all, maybe Caro's personal pronouns are 'lskdjfalkdj' or something. Has anyone asked Caro? Of course everyone should magically know what everyone else's pronouns are, so presumably the complainant, in the complaint, misgendered Caro?

See how far they'll take this utter bullshit.

I like that idea Ineedacup . Caroline could start her police interview by listing her preferred pronouns, and making it clear she will view any misgendering as a legal matter.

OldCrone it looks like the same person has asked for both as it is an Edward Williams asking for the details for Caroline.

So sorry Caro

Did your lawyer say to attend the interview? Did they believe you would be arrested if you did not? I personally would not attend, I would wait to be arrested. Especially as they have not provided you with the tweets, and misgendering is not a crime.

Is that a realistic option- not attending?

Also, I will donate for this if you need it.

I am furious this keeps happening, especially after Miranda’s case.

So, what can we do? We can support Caro right now, but this is harassment now. The police are actually questioning people with zero evidence of any crime. We MUST DO SOMETHING.

What are our options? Petition? Sue the police altogether? What can we do. This has to stop now. Both the police and the CPS are guilty of harassment and wasting the courts time and resources with cases where no crime has been committed. This is fucking unacceptable.

Caroline could start her police interview by listing her preferred pronouns, and making it clear she will view any misgendering as a legal matter.

Yes, and make it the most difficult pronouns to stick to or even say properly. I never know how you're supposed to say Zie or is it Xie?

She could also wear a pronoun badge to help them out.

Joking aside, I’m sorry you’re having to go through this madness.

She could also wear a pronoun badge to help them out

Several badges that she switches periodically throughout the interview

Genius!

it looks like the same person has asked for both as it is an Edward Williams asking for the details for Caroline.

Oops, I missed that. After I saw FOI mentioned I went straight to the request site to look and didn't realise others had got there first.

This is from the response to the Miranda Yardley request:

As per the attached response dated 25 September 2018 and a further email dated 4 December 2018 (also attached), the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has regarded these types of requests where you provide a link to a CPS case file and request detailed information/all data as above as vexatious under section 14 of the FOI Act 2000 in line with guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) which states: Under section 14(1) of the Act, public authorities do not have to comply with vexatious requests. There is no public interest test.

I note you have submitted to the CPS three further FOI requests all of which have the common theme detailed above in September, October and December 2018. These requests were deemed vexatious and filed without response. The email dated 4 December 2018 was sent to you to reiterate our position.

I suspect the response to the new request will be along the same lines.

Or her pronoun could be “she” but with a silent “s” so it’s pronounced “he”

Did you happen to read any further to determine what exactly the test or criteria is for a "vexatious request" OldCrone?

Vexatious prosecutions are a more serious matter.

That's not good OldCrone. Seems a bit of an easy get out - label everything as vexatious except when are acting vexatiously.

@eurochick - is there any way you can lodge a complaint about the council tax hike specifically linking it to this misuse of police resources? Eg going to your local council meeting or sending a 'concerned citizen' request for discussion to your councillors or to a local paper, maybe copying in the local PCC?

Caroline, this is outrageous and I will also pledge to a crowdfunder (despite not agreeing with a lot of Catholic stuff !)

And as for the CPS treating FOI requests as vexatious: surely a) some journalist or b) the victim(s) of this harassment would get further? Miranda, HarrytheOwl?

Tell your elected representatives eurochick.

MhairiV

I haven't looked that up. I need to do other things now, but I'll have a look later if nobody else has done it in the meantime.

I'm still awaiting the CPS decision on my case, sadly so can't be much help thus far. You have my support and I'm happy to offer a shoulder and ear, Caroline.

Sorry you're having to go through this Caro.

I'm another willing to pop a few quid into a crowdfunder if you need it.

Harrop seems to suggest that other police visits are in the pipeline.

“I believe a number of trans-antagonistic folk have been - or are going to be - interviewed under caution due to concerns raised re: the nature of their online communications.

I believe there are ongoing police investigations, which have yet to reach their conclusion”

I wonder what route his direct line to police investigations takes.

I’d imagine being very friendly with the complainants

Hang on!

You said the tweets were from 6mo ago. What offence are they wanting you under?

Just trying to figure it out what they would be trying to charge you with past the 6mo statute barring period...

A more pertinent FOI request would be for dates, content and trainers for any diversity training relating to trans issues which has been done by the CPS.

If you do wait to get arrested, Make sure the media is there when it happens ;)