A Brighton woman has defeated an attempt to prosecute her for emailing Labour minister Peter Kyle about Israel’s actions in Gaza, after the case collapsed in court.
Claire Kerrison was arrested after Kyle’s office alerted police to emails she had sent to him, the Prime Minister and other ministers expressing concerns about Gaza. She was subsequently charged under communications legislation for allegedly causing annoyance through persistent emails.
At trial, prosecutors sought to amend the charges and requested a delay, but the court refused both applications. The prosecution then offered no evidence, and the case was dismissed. The court also ordered that Kerrison’s legal costs be paid.
Kerrison described the case as an attempt to silence criticism of the UK government's stance on Israel’s genocide in Gaza and said she would continue speaking out in support of Palestinians.
