THE National's front page today asks a big question: Is it a crime to share a picture of Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump?
The newspaper published the photograph as it questioned police actions during Trump's state visit this week.
The focus of the front page is the arrests of four people, after the images of US president Donald Trump and paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein were projected onto Windsor Castle.
The text reads: "As Led By Donkeys protesters are arrested in Windsor after displaying this picture of Donald Trump with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, we ask: Is sharing this image a crime?"
It comes amid Trump's lavish trip, which has been filled with pomp and military pageantry in Windsor – but has sparked wide protests outside of the royal residence's walls.
A 60-year-old man from East Sussex, a 36-year-old man from London, a 37-year-old man from Kent and a 50-year-old man from London were arrested on suspicion of malicious communications on Tuesday night following the projection.
The images were part of a nine-minute-long film created by the campaign group Led By Donkeys, which went over the history of Trump’s links to Epstein, including the recent release by US legislators of a tranche of documents said to include a letter from the president to Epstein to celebrate his 50th birthday.
Alongside pictures and videos of Trump and Epstein, a letter allegedly written by the president reading "To Jeff – you are the greatest! Donald" was displayed.
The film was projected from a hotel room with a direct view over the castle as an act of “peaceful protest”, a spokesperson for the group said. They said they have done similar projections dozens of times, but this was the first arrest for such a stunt.
“I think they’ve been arrested for embarrassing Donald Trump,” a spokesperson said.
“It’s because Donald Trump’s got a very thin skin. They’re protecting his ego.”
Elsewhere, campaigners said an advertising van displaying the image of Trump and Epstein together had been confiscated by police.
The group Everyone Hates Elon had been displaying the van in Windsor on Wednesday morning when they say it was confiscated by police.
However, a Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “Security checks are a necessary part of our response to ensure the safety of the state visit and all those in the area.
“The driver was at risk of breaching the Road Traffic Regulations Act, and after a brief conversation with officers the motorist left the area.
“No arrests were made and no vehicles were seized.
“We have been clear with the public that an enhanced police presence would be in place due to the state visit.”
The arrests come amid increasing concerns over free speech in the UK.
According to Amnesty International, more than 1500 people have been arrested under terrorism legislation since Palestine Action was proscribed by Labour on July 5, a move which sparked a warning from the UN human rights chief.
There have been multiple protests since July, with one on September 6 in London seeing almost 900 people arrested.
