I also got a visit from the police over a tweet

Sir Richard Dearlovethe former head of MI6, said the investigation into Pearson was “ridiculous” and officers “shouldn’t be wasting their time on such matters”.

He said: “I think those of us who grew up in the era of free speech just can’t understand how things have evolved. This is extraordinary.

“There are other ways to monitor extremism, and I don’t think doing things that harm people’s free speech is a reasonable starting point.

“If it’s IRGC activity in the UK or serious Hamas-related stuff, that’s something they should be looking at.”

Police “must focus on violent crime”

Baron Stevens, a former Met commissioner, said police forces must use limited resources to tackle violent crime.

“We need police officers on the streets to prioritize things like knife crime and violence,” he said. “Public safety must be the highest priority.”

Two former home affairs ministers have said hate crime investigations are distracting the police from their core duties.

Suella Braverman said: “It is time to end this insidious practice. Police on the streets, not tweets – that’s what the British expect.”

Grant Shepps said: “These incidents, where no crime has actually been committed, appear to be a waste of police time and undermine public confidence in the police. It would probably be better for law enforcement agencies to focus on real crimes.”

Essex Police defended Pearson’s case in a statement on Saturday, saying it was launched because “a complaint has been made of possible criminal offences”.

Police said: “We operate without fear or favour, which is why we respond to suspected offenses reported to us by members of the public.”

He released a transcript of the officers’ conversation with Pearson, which was captured on their body cameras.

In it, the officer told her: “This has been recorded as an incident or offense which has the potential to incite racial hatred online. That would be an offence.”

Then they added: “That’s what was charged, and if there’s an offense that we have to ask questions about, we have to.”

A Met spokesman said: “We take all reports of hate crime extremely seriously and aim to investigate allegations thoroughly and impartially where they are made.

“Our approach is to balance the right to free speech with our duty to protect people and our communities from harm.”