Man charged over offensive Sir Tom Moore tweet

Sir Tom sadly died in Bedford Hospital last Tuesday, aged 100, after a battle with pneumonia and having tested positive for Covid-19.

He had captured the UK’s heart, becoming a national treasure, after he raised more than £30m for NHS charities during the first coronavirus lockdown.

The tweet that prompted the investigation read: “The only good Brit soldier is a deed one, burn auld fella, buuuuurn.”

Now, a 35-year-old man has been arrested.

He is due to appear in court later this week following the offensive tweet.

This comes as the SNP attempts to introduce a new law in Scotland that would make ‘stirring up hatred’ a criminal offence.

But many think the new rule could have a devastating impact on free speech.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said:

“On Friday 5 February 2021, we received a report of an offensive tweet about Sir Captain Tom Moore who died on Tuesday 2 February.

“A 35-year-old man has subsequently been arrested and charged in connection with communication offences and is due to appear at Lanark Sheriff Court on Wednesday 17 February.”