The Association’s response to the arrest of Peter Macdiarmid

Following the arrest of multi-award winning photojournalist Peter Macdiarmid whilst covering this morning’s Just Stop Oil protest at Clacket Lane Services on the M25, The British Press Photographers’ Association would, once again, like to remind Police Officers that journalists have a right and a duty to report the news.

Mr Macdiarmid identified himself as the holder of a UK Press Card which is a form of identification officially recognised by the National Police Chiefs Council but the officers from Surrey Police chose not to check and as a result a law abiding and extremely experienced photographer was detained for several hours.

The BPPA and it’s members would expect Police Officers to respect journalists and their work, recognise holders of the UK Press Card as professionals and not obstruct them in the course of their work.