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Arrest of Leicester journalists

EDM (Early Day Motion) 970: tabled on 15 October 2026

Tabled in the 2026-27 session.

This motion has been signed by 1 Member. It has not yet had any amendments submitted.

Motion text

This House expresses its alarm at the arrest of journalists under the Terrorism Act, including two Leicester Gazette reporters and two union-accredited freelancers, who were covering a demonstration outside UAV Tactical Systems in Leicester, a subsidiary of the Israeli arms manufacturer, Elbit Systems on 8 October 2026; notes that the journalists had been blanket arrested under Section 13 and detained by police for three hours before they were de-arrested after handing over their personal information, despite the reporters having already identified themselves with their press credentials to multiple officers; and considers this police overreach to be a deeply concerning threat to the basic right of journalists to undertake the vital role they play in UK democracy.

The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.

There are no withdrawn signatures for this motion.