Broadcaster Dawn Neesom did not hold back as she lambasted a “creature” spotted wearing a Manchester United shirt with ‘Hamas 7’ printed on the back.
The unidentifed man was pictured walking near Oxford Circus tube station in central London on Friday afternoon.
Recklessly showing support for a proscribed organisation, like Hamas, is a criminal offence under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act.
Speaking on GB News, Neesom demanded prompt police action.
Dawn Neesom hit out at a man wearing a Hamas 7 Man Utd shirt
GETTY / GB NEWS
“I’m going to use a bad word, this creature is strolling through London thinking it’s acceptable to celebrate the murder, rape and kidnap of innocent people”, he said.
“Some people just took pictures of him. Where are the police? Why is no one arresting him?
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The man was spotted wearing the shirt outside Oxford Circus stationPA/GettyAsked by GB News’s Michael Portillo about whether potential arrests for clothing is a violation of free speech, Neesom insisted she remains an ardent supporter of the principle.
“This shirt is not an expression of free speech” she continued.
“It is supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation in London, where we have already seen hideous rises in hate crimes, antisemitism and Islamophobia.
“This has to be some kind of offence for inciting hatred.”
It has been suggested that the number seven could have referred to the October 7 attacks last year, where Hamas took 250 hostages and killed 1,139 people in Israel.
Police will make decisions on whether to arrest or charge suspects on a case-by-case basis.
The MailOnline reports that Manchester United does not allow political slogans to be printed on shorts sold through official club channels.
The shirt was spotted ahead of the team’s FA Cup final victory on Saturday where they beat rivals Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley Stadium.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “On Friday 24 May, police received a call from a member of the public reporting that a man was walking in Oxford Street, W1 wearing a football shirt with an offensive message on it.
“Enquiries are underway to try and identify the man.”
