Twitter users and bloggers have hit out at what they describe as an attack on 'free speech' after an account behind offensive messages about the Hillsborough stadium disaster – disappeared.
"Old Holborn", who has 18,000 followers and whose account is believed to be manned by a Braintree man after he was "unmasked" last week, stopped tweeting on Thursday.
The account appears to have since been taken down. It is not known whether it was taken down voluntarily or whether it was as a result of police action. Essex Police is now investigating tweets relating to the Boston marathon blast, Hillsborough and murdered child James Bulger after someone from Southport reported him on Thursday.
Users have protested on the grounds of free speech.
Blogger Richard Carey wrote on his website, Libertarianhome.co.uk: "There really is little to debate here. The police investigation is an insult to freedom.
"The offensiveness of the tweets is immaterial. Indeed the phrasing of the police statement is even more indicative of how arbitrary our laws have become.
The tweets were "inappropriate and offensive" we are told.
"The first term is especially worrying. Whether something – anything – is appropriate is almost wholly conditional on the situation."
User "Lady Andrea" retweeted the blog and said: "Old Holborn and the continuing assault on free speech"
Alastaire Allday wrote: "Yet another attack on freedom of speech in the UK. When you can't speak your mind for fear of the police, be afraid."
