A Northern Irish loyalist's hate speech charge was dismissed due to lack of prosecution consent, ending the case over a 2024 Facebook post.

David 'Dee' Stitt, a Northern Irish loyalist, has had a charge of inciting religious hatred dismissed by the Court of Appeal, which ruled the Magistrates’ Court lacked jurisdiction due to the absence of required consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions. The case stemmed from a 2024 Facebook post Stitt shared in response to the Southport killings, which referenced stopping the "spread of evil Islam" and called for protests. Authorities called it a "call to arms," but Stitt claimed it was a reshare of another’s message on a private account, meant to support peaceful demonstrations. The appeal judges agreed the prosecution was improperly initiated under Article 10 of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987, ending the current case. While prosecutors may seek a Supreme Court review, legal experts say the matter is likely concluded.