THE report of the Cleeve Prior councillors being interviewed by police and threatened with arrest because of remarks made at a meeting puzzled me. Until I read this report I thought we had free speech in this country, anyone who considered themselves slandered could sue for damages under civil law, and the police were not involved. But I realise I was wrong.

Is this now a police state? If so, when, and how, did it become one? I hope someone more knowledgeable about the law than I am will enlighten me.

MISS E N ROUSE, Evendene Road, Evesham.