Broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer has faced criticism after she took to social media following the news that Laurence Fox had been charged with sharing an image of Narinder Kaur
Julia Hartley-Brewer has been slammed for victim-shaming Narinder Kaur on social media. The outspoken broadcaster took to social media after Laurence Fox was charged for sharing an upskirting image featuring Kaur on his social media page. Following an 11 month investigation, the former actor was charged by the Metropolitan Police with a sexual offence.
He is due to appear in court next month. Following the news of Fox’s charge, Julia Hartley-Brewer, who previously presented on LBC was fast to share her views on X, formerly known as Twitter but social media users were quick to criticise her comments. In view of her 526.2k followers on Elon Musk’s microblogging site, the TalkTV broadcaster said: “In other news, my handbag was stolen last June. I gave police CCTV of the theft. They ID’d the suspect. 10 months later, still no charges,” while sharing a news article.
“Are you really trying to compare the two offences? Shameful,” responded one user. Julia replied to the X user: “I’m comparing the policing of different crimes.” A second went on to add: “That’s pretty grim, Julia. Your handbag theft is bad but you cannot and should not trivialise what Fox has done. He’s been charged with sexual offences. Put yourself in Narinder’s shoes and show some compassion.”
“So you belittle sexual offences as equating to a stolen handbag – what a great look,” fumed a third. Meanwhile, a fourth went on to add: “Think about what you just tweeted. Trying to trivialise sex offences because the guy who violated the woman’s consent is a mate of yours.”
Laurence allegedly posted the image to his page in April 2024. Narinda, 52, who has waived her right to anonymity said at the time the post was “unimaginably mortifying.” Fox later addressed the situation the day after sharing the image and said he would like to “apologise” to Narinda, adding “it’s not my fault,” that the broadcaster was pictured in the compromising way more than 15 years ago.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “A man has been charged with a sexual offence following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police. Laurence Fox, 46, of Peldon, Essex, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on April 24 charged with an offence contrary to section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
“The charge relates to an image that was posted on a social media platform in April 2024.” Upskirting, the act of taking a picture of people under their clothing without their consent became a criminal offence in 2019. Those who commit an upskirting crime can face up to two years behind bars and could also be placed on the sex offenders register.
Section 66A was introduced to the Online Safety Act 2023 to reflect the growing concerns surrounding cyberflashing. The law now criminalises the act of intentionally sending or sharing an image of another person’s genitals without their consent and with the intention to cause alarm, distress, humiliation or for sexual gratification.
Narinda has not commented on Fox being charged but has since taken to both X and Instagram to share a news article about the charge being made. Meanwhile, Fox has since unleashed a foul mouthed rant on his own page, claiming that the Metropolitan Police are attempting to “scare” him.
“You can hate me, love me, or be indifferent to me. That is your right,” he fumed.
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