"Hertfordshire Police originally defended its decision to detain the couple but has now agreed a 20,000 payout, the Times reports. The force admitted a legal criteria for arrest was not made out and formally accepted liability for wrongful arrest and detention. Mr Allen, a Times Radio producer, said: We're very pleased Hertfordshire Constabulary have recognised, albeit belatedly, that our arrests were unlawful."
"I hope the debate around our case has a positive effect on how these issues are handled in future. The police should not be a tool for public authorities to close down legitimate comment and scrutiny. Mr Allen and Ms Levine had previously been banned from entering Cowley Hill Primary School, in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, after questioning the recruitment process for a head teacher and criticising the leadership in a parents' WhatsApp group."
Hertfordshire Police admitted that legal criteria for arrest were not met and formally accepted liability for wrongful arrest and detention, agreeing a 20,000 payout to Mr Allen and Ms Levine. The couple had been banned from Cowley Hill Primary School after questioning a head teacher recruitment process and criticising leadership in a parents' WhatsApp group. Police investigated for five weeks on suspicion of harassment, malicious communications and causing a nuisance, concluding no further action. The force initially defended the detentions and said it stood by the investigation, noting an inspector sought to preserve electronic devices and expected voluntary interviews would be refused.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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