La Fabrique foreign rights manager Moret arrested ahead of London Book Fair 

Ernest Moret, foreign rights manager at La Fabrique Editions, has been detained and arrested after travelling from France to attend the London Book Fair, the French publisher said in a joint statement with close collaborator Verso Books. 

Moret arrived at St Pancras station on Eurostar on the evening of 17th April and was detained and questioned under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

According to the publishers, Moret’s participation in protests in France was cited "as a justification for this act" by the officers. He was allegedly compelled to hand over his devices and passcodes and was arrested and transferred to a police station after refusing to comply. 

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told The Bookseller: “At around 19:30hrs on Monday, 17th April, a 28-year-old man was stopped by ports officers as he arrived at St Pancras station, using powers under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

“On Tuesday, 18th April, the man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of wilfully obstructing a Schedule 7 examination (contrary to section 18 of the Terrorism Act 2000). The man remains in custody. Enquiries continue.” Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 provides designated ports officers with the powers to investigate people who pass through the UK’s borders. Specially trained police officers are allowed to stop, question and when necessary, search and detain, individuals and goods to determine whether they may be "involved or concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".

Moret, who also manages foreign rights for the science fiction author Alain Damasio, had more than 30 appointments planned with foreign publishers and was due to return to Paris on Friday.

Verso Books editorial director Sebastian Budgen told The Bookseller that he was meant to provide accommodation to Moret and his colleague, editorial director Stella Magliani-Belkacem, who travelled with him but was allowed to leave the police station.

The foreign rights manager had also been invited to the reception at the French Institute in London, which the French ambassador will attend.

Verso will be producing a leaflet about the situation and distributing it to publishers at the fair and the French Institute, where a protest will be held at 7 p.m. tonight (18th April). Another protest will also be held at the same time at the British embassy in Paris.