When Maxie Allen complained to his daughter’s primary school about the recruitment process for a new head teacher, he hoped it would result in more openness and transparency. Instead six uniformed officers from Hertfordshire police were sent to arrest Allen and his partner after the school objected to them sending numerous emails and to their criticisms including “disparaging” comments on a parents’ WhatsApp group. So, is this another case of police overreach? And what does it mean for our ability to criticise and communicate privately?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests: 

• Maxie Allen, producer, Times Radio, and
• Fiona Hamilton, Chief Reporter, The Times. 

Host: Manveen Rana. 

Producers: Edward Drummond and Sam Chantarasak.

Further reading:

• Police chief defends arrest of parents in school WhatsApp row
• Met Police smash down door of Quaker meeting house to arrest activists.

Get in touch: [email protected]  

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