Harry Miller My fight against the police

[BovaryX]

Harry Miller has written a brilliant article in the Spectator about his ordeal at the hands of the police. It is a passionate defense of freedom of speech and he highlights the profound problem at the core of his case; that criminalizing people for an expressed belief in biological reality is extraordinary behaviour for an advanced Western democracy in the 21st century. As he correctly states, the judge in his summation was explicitly aware of the grim historical resonances:

It is hard to imagine a more damning choice of words than those used by Mr Justice Knowles, who, in considering his judgement, had clearly dusted down his copies of On Liberty and Nineteen Eighty-Four. In describing the actions of Humberside police, he drew from not one, but three of the most oppressive totalitarian regimes in modern history. 'In Great Britain, we have never had a Cheka, a Stasi or a Gestapo'

blogs.spectator.co.uk/2020/02/my-fight-against-the-police-over-transphobic-tweets/

Such a clear article. I particularly liked this:
Since the High Court decision, they (Humberside Police) have refused to face the scrutiny of the press, issuing a statement with all the reflective gravity of a parking ticket

Although I tend to avoid the comments btl on the Spectator, the comments are almost universally supportive (and some of them have been digging for the appeal).

The person who reported Harry to Humberside Police has been talking to everyone's favourite commentator

judicialcat.blogspot.com/2020/02/harry-miller-judicial-review-mrs-b.html

I don't think it is at all helpful to speculate on the identity of an anonymous person. It will result in deletions.

Well, that was quite the read....

Harry Miller has written a brilliant article in the Spectator about his ordeal at the hands of the police

"ordeal" - not a word I'd have used as it leaves very little room to up the language for more serious outcomes from police behaviour. He wasn't even arrested.

"experience" might have been better.

So, "Mrs B" refers to Miss Madigan as a 21 year old "female".
I thought "female" is a protected characteristic according to the 2010 Equality Act.

Mrs B seems to have a very lose grip on reality....referring to an adult male as 'female'. Then going on to spout complete rubbish about the equality act...This nugget is priceless, I quote "Studies have proven that transgender people ARE the gender they say. Transgender women are women and always have been."

Erm, no.

He wasn't even arrested
What do you mean even arrested? There was no crime, so...?

Mrs B is not happy with the judge is she?

Harry is a fantastic writer - what a well-written piece.

The Hayden thing is bonkers, isn't it? All those capital letters.

'I would also like to know why the borderline harassment of DR ADRIAN HARROP and MISS LILY MADIGAN was not brought up. Both were reported to Humberside Police. Mr Miller engaged in several vexatious complaints to the General Medical Council over Dr Harrop’s alleged conduct, merely because Dr Harrop is a staunch supporter of transgender rights. In the case of Miss Madigan, it is absolutely unbecoming for a man of FIFTY FOUR years of age to be so obsessed with a highly vulnerable TWENTY ONE year old female. I suggest it was because Miss Madigan is transgender. This was, in my opinion, bordering on harassment, especially as it would have been seen by his followers on Twitter and it would have instigated a “pile on” by them on both individuals.'

Highly vulnerable, eh.

SerendipityJane
ordeal. n. 1. A difficult or painful experience, especially one that severely tests character or endurance.
Seems a fair word to me.

I don't think it is at all helpful to speculate on the identity of an anonymous person. It will result in deletions.

Quite.

Serendipity

Ordeal is not a word you would use? He was visited by the police, despite the fact he had committed no crime. He has a police record, but he hasn't committed any crime. He has been through an arduous, challenging court case during which he has suffered immense mental stress and potential ruinous financial consequences. And he hasn't committed any crime. But hey. Ordeal isn't an appropriate description. You know what? His action against the police have catapulted this existential threat to freedom of speech to the front page of every serious national newspaper. And everyone is watching now.

I don't think anyone is speculating on their identity. It's a response to the verdict by the anonymous complainent published by S. Hayden . Presumably its purpose is to be read.

Presumably the victims of Windrush were suffered an "ordeal plus" then ?

not condoning, nor impressed with what happened to HtO. But I think perspective is still called for.

For anyone questioning the use of the word "ordeal", I'd recommend reading this:

www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/humberside-police-tweets-transgender-reaction-3857444

That's an interesting non sequitur and a blatant attempt to divert this discussion. Ice and a slice with your bait and switch?

That's an interesting non sequitur and a blatant attempt to divert this discussion. Ice and a slice with your bait and switch?

Shrug ... whatevers. Using the same word in different contexts bestows an equality upon the meaning which I don't feel is justified in this case. The suffragettes could be said to have had an "ordeal" when being force fed in prison which doesn't equate with HtOs postion. Even it it was being force fed an ideology.

That's my view, for what little it's worth. You are of course free to block me and move on. Or rather you would be if MN felt it appropriate.

Using the same word in different contexts bestows an equality upon the meaning which I don't feel is justified in this case

I think it is very interesting that you feel compelled to deny that what Harry Miller suffered was an ordeal. By comparing it to suffragettes being force fed. Last century. This is an attempt to minimise and distract from the seriousness of Harry's case. I wonder what your motive is?

I’m afraid it’s all too obvious what her motive is.

Harry's Spectator article is very good. Mrs B's rant, on the other hand ... Words fail me but I was strongly reminded of the Judge's comments regarding reactions "at the outer margin of rationality".

I think it is very interesting that you feel compelled to deny that what Harry Miller suffered was an ordeal. By comparing it to suffragettes being force fed. Last century. This is an attempt to minimise and distract from the seriousness of Harry's case. I wonder what your motive is?

Because everyone has a motive, right ?

Assume what you want about my peculiar view of language. While you are, I will repost what I said previously that "I am not condoning nor impressed with what happened to HtO". Because it's true. I may not be doing it to the semantic standards that appear to have been agreed when I was getting a coffee. But I'm sure when that memo gets to me, I'll be able to use the appropriate language. Which as we know appears to be more important with each passing day ....

Because it's true. I may not be doing it to the semantic standards that appear to have been agreed when I was getting a coffee

Er, it was you who attempted to dictate language on this thread. By insisting that Harry's ordeal was not an ordeal. You introduced bizarre comparisons with suffragettes being force fed last century in an attempt to minimise and distract from Harry's case. The seriousness of which is reflected in the judge's citing of the Gestapo, the Cheka and the Stasi. Animal Farm quoted in his opening and John Stuart Mill in his conclusion. I suggest you read the judgement.

Can someone explain as it's not clear in the article: did Humberside police take him to court, or did he take them to court to contest the recording of a "non crime hate incident?

And what's his criminal record for if he's never been arrested or charged with an offence?

Thanks