Cop Staffer Caught Sharing Far-Right Hate Online
William Loyd-Hughes, a West Yorkshire police staffer, was nabbed last September by Counter Terrorism Policing North East. The crackdown followed a referral from West Yorkshire Police and a probe led by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Undercover Twitter Accounts Spreading Racist Propaganda
Loyd-Hughes was still on the payroll when he posted extremist messages in August and September 2022. Investigators found he used disguised Twitter profiles to push extreme right-wing views. He tagged racist hashtags to ramp up his vile message to a wider audience.
Guilty Plea Over Terrorism Links
The ex-officer admitted to publishing images supporting the banned Ulster Defence Association. He pleaded guilty under the Terrorism Act 2000 and was also charged with improper use of electronic communications under the Communications Act 2003.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley said: “Sharing extremist views and propaganda are serious offences and we will always seek to prosecute those responsible, irrespective of their occupation or background.”
“This is particularly important when those involved occupy positions of trust. There is no place for such deeply offensive views anywhere in our society, but particularly in policing,” Dunkerley added.
Police Urge Public to Report Extremist Content
The counter-terror boss stressed the danger of online hate: “Tackling extremist material online is an essential part of protecting the public and preventing offences that may encourage extremism, fuel community tensions, or motivate others to act.”
If you spot extremist content online, report it confidentially at www.gov.uk/ACT or call 0800 789321.
Loyd-Hughes quit West Yorkshire Police on March 16, 2023. But despite his resignation, local misconduct proceedings against him are set to resume.
