[ChocolateGod]

> But that is surely besides the point?

The people who wanted JK Rowling arrested knew her views and comments are legal. If the police arrested her and she won in court, that would set a precedent and invalidate any attempt to use that legislation to prosecute people with similar views, which activists were hoping to use it for.

But also, her not getting arrested does the same.

So she was in a win-win position.

[account-5]

At the time they really didn't, the underlying issue was recently decided in the Supreme Court.

But yes I get and agree with your point. And it also highlights an important aspect often ignored in all this. The courts decide a person's guilt irrespective of police action, case law builds up around laws that are broad and easy to misinterprete.