Comedian Jonathan Pie has hit out at British police for investigating a man for transphobic tweets, calling it ‘thought crime’.

Harry Miller, who goes by the name ‘Harry the Owl’ on Twitter, said he was contacted by police investigating a hate crime. The police officer was from Humberside Police and said he was there ‘representing the LGBTQ community’.

Writing on Twitter, he said: ‘Cop said he was possession of 30 tweets by me. I asked if any contained criminal material. He said: “No”.

‘I asked if any came close to being criminal and he read me a limerick. Honestly. A limerick. A cop read me a limerick over the phone’

He then told the police he did mot write the limerick, to which the police officer reportedly said: ‘Ah. But you liked it and promoted it.’

Before adding: ‘It’s not a crime, but it will be recorded as a hate incident.’

He concluded the series of tweets by saying: ‘The cop told me that he needed to speak with me because, even though I’d committed no crime whatsoever, he needed (and I quote) “to check my THINKING!”. Seriously. Honestly.’

Gay Star News have reached out to Humberside Police for comment.

Humberside Police have released a statement on Twitter in response to a comment.

They said: ‘We received reports of a number of transphobic comments being posted on social media. We take all reports of hate related incidents seriously. We will always investigate to determine if a hate crime or incident has been committed & take proportionate action.’

We received reports of a number of transphobic comments being posted on social media. We take all reports of hate related incidents seriously. We will always investigate to determine if a hate crime or incident has been committed & will take proportionate action. — Humberside Police (@Humberbeat) January 25, 2019

Thought crime or blatant transphobia?

In response, comedian Jonathan Pie hit out at the police and referenced George Orwell’s 1984.

Whether you agree or disagree with this man's opinions, that's not the issue. The police should not be getting involved. The fact this happened at all is a terrifying glimpse into the reality of 'Thought Crime'. George Orwell's ghost must be so disappointed in all us right now. https://t.co/I9lJ4xGTTg — Jonathan Pie (@JonathanPieNews) January 25, 2019

He said: ‘Whether you agree or disagree with this man’s opinions, that’s not the issue. The police should not be getting involved.

‘The fact this happened at all is a terrifying glimpse into the reality of ‘Thought Crime’. George Orwell’s ghost must be so disappointed in all us right now.’

Other people disagreed with him. One person retorted: ‘Freedom of speech is not freedom from consequence.

‘Words have power. He uses his to (emotionally) hurt people and inspire others to (emotionally and/or physically) hurt the same.

‘Money is power. We will use ours to (financially) hurt him, to limit his ability to hurt others.’

The poem refers to trans women as men and calls them ‘stupid’.

Another added: ‘Should we be encouraging people to share their hatred? I think people *should* be ashamed of their hateful views.’

Read the poem below. CW: transphobia: ‘You’re a man.

Your breasts are made of silicone

Your vagina goes nowhere

And we can tell the difference

Even when you are no there

Your hormones are synthetic

And lets just cross this bridge

What you have you stupid man

Is male privilege.’

See also:

https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/these-feminist-comedians-are-fighting-british-transphobia-with-jokes/

https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/nspcc-mumsnet-child-abuse-transphobia/

https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/lesbians-fight-against-transphobia-at-manchester-pride-see-the-best-parade-pics/