Kentish Express Ashford & District
Arrested barracks photographer now seeking damages
Photos taken at asylum seeker camp protest
A photographer who was arrested after taking pictures at a protest is demanding an apology from police.
Freelancer Andy Aitchison from Folkestone was arrested in January after taking pictures of a protest at the town’s Napier Barracks.
The 46-year-old’s photos were published by several news sites including KentOnline - and later that day officers arrived at his house to arrest him.
Speaking at the time, Mr Aitchison said: “They came into the kitchen and said ‘we are arresting you on suspicion of criminal damage’. If I had been sitting down I would have almost fallen off my chair, it was crazy. I showed my press card. I said ‘this is ridiculous, I was doing my job.’”
He was taken to a police station where again he stressed during an interview that his pictures have been used by media outlets and he was paid for them.
On February 5, the force confirmed no further police action would be taken against him.
But now, lawyers from Bindmans have written to Kent Police asking for an apology and damages for the press photographer - who has been covering demonstrations for 16 years.
Mr Aitchison said: “Making a civil claim against Kent Police is not something I am taking on lightly.
“Protecting the rights of all professional journalists to report on current issues seems even more pertinent whilst living through COVID restrictions.
“I was merely doing my job and I feel strongly that no Police Force should be threatening or arresting journalists and preventing them from working. I want Kent Police to issue me with a full apology and admit that my arrest was unlawful.
“I hope that they will learn from this and share the experience with other Forces to ensure that this does not happen to any other journalists.”
A Kent Police spokesman confirmed the details of Mr Aitchison’s arrest, and only commented further to say: “We have since received notice of intended civil action against the force from the man’s legal representatives concerning his arrest, as such it would not be appropriate to discuss any further details until the matter is concluded.”
Rachel Harger, solicitor at Bindmans LLP, who are handling Mr Aitchison’s case, said: “This conduct and decision making by Kent Police officers must not go unchallenged otherwise it sets a dangerous - and unlawful - precedent that journalists can be arrested or fined under coronavirus regulations for doing their job and have their journalistic material seized without a production order or search warrant.
“Clearly it is a a fundamental feature of a democratic society that journalists be able to report on public protests without risk of reprisal but especially during this national lockdown when the public has not been able to witness these events for themselves.
“In recognition of this Kent Police must provide a full and public apology for their treatment of our client.”