Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson has won a handsome five-figure payout and an apology from Essex’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Roger Hirst, after suing him for defamation over allegations she had incited racial hatred. Finally…Two police offers turned up at Pearson’s door in November 2024 over an ancient tweet that they claimed could amount to a non-crime hate incident (NCHI). Hirst’s claim that on LBC that he “can’t go around ignoring crimes just because it’s politically sensitive” were judged to be defamatory. Pearson said after her win:“The fact remains that this should never have happened. “Although the damage was done to me on Remembrance Sunday, two-tier political policing affects anyone with a different viewpoint.