Peace campaigner and Harrogate resident, Lindis Percy, was arrested in central Harrogate during the Olympic Torch festivities in 2012.
West Yorkshire Police had been drafted-in to police the Olympic Torch procession through Harrogate on 19 June 2012.
She has now won compensation and received an apology from West Yorkshire Police.
Following a legal claim brought by Ms Percy, West Yorkshire Police have admitted to wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, assault and human rights infringements, specifically: the right to liberty; freedom of expression; and freedom of association and assembly.
Lindis Percy is the joint coordinator of the Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases (CAAB).
The legal claim was brought by new Harrogate Solicitors, Truth Legal. Andrew Gray, solicitor at Truth Legal, said:
My client was arrested for alleged breach of the peace by West Yorkshire Police in order to stop her from exercising her freedom of expression. Such heavy-handed and arbitrary use of State force was wholly unnecessary in the circumstances.”
Although the actions of the police officers on the day were unnecessary, praise must go to West Yorkshire Police for apologising to Ms Percy and for compensating her appropriately. We hope that lessons will be learned.
Ms Percy said:
I was surprised and shocked by the actions of West Yorkshire police.
The outcome of this claim restores the precious right to protest peacefully.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:
This lady was arrested in good faith following a complaint by a member of the public. When the evidence was reviewed it was decided that the grounds for arrest were not sufficient and consequently liability was admitted by West Yorkshire Police and an apology was given.
Internal investigations were carried out into the circumstances of the arrest but no further action was deemed to be necessary.
