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Wednesday 31 March 2021

Home Secretary Asked to Intervene in BBC and Nottinghamshire Police's Witch-Hunt of Alex Belfield

The Home Secretary has been asked to intervene in the BBC and Nottinghamshire Police's witch-hunt of Alex Belfield.

A few days ago we wrote about how Nottinghamshire Police had smashed in Alex Belfield's front door and hauled him off in handcuffs at the behest of the BBC.

At the police station Alex learnt that the BBC had wrongly pointed the finger of blame at him for a bomb threat they claimed to have received. He denied any wrongdoing, as he would, and was released without charge after only a few minutes in the interview room.

Alex, who is currently in a defamation fight against a BBC Local Radio presenter, is convinced that the national broadcaster, in collusion with Nottinghamshire Police, is seeking revenge by attempting to frame him for crimes he has not committed.

The former BBC Radio Leeds presenter has amassed almost 300,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel, The Voice of Reason, which he regularly uses to highlight BBC scandal and corruption.

Last Thursday's raid was the fifth time Alex had been arrested by Nottinghamshire Police, but he has never been charged with any offences.

Andrew Bridgen, Conservative MP for North West Leicestershire and vocal opponent of the BBC, has been keeping a close eye on Alex's situation. He has written to the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, to raise concerns about the "disproportionate treatment" of the YouTube star.

In his letter, Mr Bridgen highlights that all of Alex's previous arrests - on suspicion of offences like fraud and harassment - have been the result of vexatious complaints made by people associated with the BBC.

Speaking to the Express, Mr Bridgen said: "I feel compelled, given recent events, to write to you once again raising my concerns about the ongoing situation between Nottingham Police and Mr Alex Belfield.

"As you are aware Mr Belfield has already been arrested four times over the past 10 months, and his home searched twice with his computers and phones confiscated and so far not returned. Despite the considerable police interest in Mr Belfield there has been no charges raised against him.

"It appears that the source of all of the unsubstantiated allegations made to Nottingham Police against him emanate from staff or former staff of the BBC.

"On Thursday 25th of March Mr Belfield was arrested again, his home was subject to a forced entry by officers and the property was searched for a third time.

"Mr Belfield has informed me that he was subjected to a strip search at the police station before being told that he was being questioned regarding reports from the BBC that he might be linked to an anonymous bomb hoax made to them. Mr Belfield again stated to me that he denied any knowledge of the matter and was released without charge after an interview that lasted less than 10 minutes.

"On the basis of this account, the actions of Nottingham Police in these matters seems to me to be completely disproportionate, and would appear to many to have all the hallmarks of a BBC inspired witch-hunt. I understand that Mr Belfield is currently undertaking a civil action against the BBC and a number of its staff for defamation.

"Given Mr Belfield's online presence and following, this is a high profile case which is undermining public trust and confidence in both our police and our justice system. I have received a number of emails from members of the public concerned about the matter."

He added: "If in fact Mr Belfield is considered to have committed an offence and evidence is produced, then clearly he should be subject to the normal judicial processes. However if it is judged that he has not, then he should be allowed to continue to earn his living unmolested by the state. Unsubstantiated allegations, even from our National State broadcaster should not result in the continuous harassment of individuals by our police force."

This morning Alex received an invoice for £204 from Nottinghamshire Police, to cover the cost of them boarding up the door they smashed down.

Neither the BBC or Nottinghamshire Police would comment on their treatment of Alex.

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