A social media joker arrested over a bogus invitation to a street party in Nicola Sturgeon in Hogmanay lambasted political police today, saying Scotland was “more like North Korea right now”.

Chris Brown, 33, was handcuffed in Hamilton at his home last Wednesday after around 2,000 people registered for the simulation event.

The father-of-one, who works as a bouncer, was charged under Section 127, Part 2 of the Communications Act 2003 and kept in a cell until 3 a.m. the next day.

He said today: “One of the cops said I was causing ‘fear, alarm or distress’ to the Prime Minister.

“They kept saying it was from above, it was real cloak and dagger stuff.

“It’s political policing – it’s complete overbreadth. It’s supposed to be a free society but it’s more like North Korea right now. I was crucified for a Facebook post. ‘

Video of his arrest shows him telling officers: ‘The police work for the Prime Minister, they do not work for the people of Scotland.’

Police in Scotland have been charged with ‘arresting people for making jokes’ after a man was charged with an alleged social media post inviting revelers to a Hogmanay party at Nicola Sturgeon’s home

Almost 2,000 people reportedly responded to Facebook hoax post about party at Prime Minister’s address near Glasgow

The arrest drew near full conviction from people online after it happened last week

Nearly 2,000 people responded to the hoax message on Facebook about a party at the Prime Minister’s address near Glasgow.

The page, titled “NYE street party @ Sturgeon’s house,” claimed it would “bring the celebrations to Sturgeon” after the SNP leader imposed new Covid restrictions this week that “canceled” Hogmanay’s mass celebrations .

Mr Brown added to The Sun: “It wasn’t a big deal at all, it was just for fun.

“I never organized anything – music, fireworks, whatever. I’ll be working on Hogmanay.

“People came to me on the street saying they would get a fundraiser to pay any fine if I got one, saying it would make people laugh outside of court.

“But I’m afraid they’ll try to make an example of me.”

“It’s worrying because you don’t know where it’s being pushed from. It’s total madness.

“Ultimately, I could lose my job if I am convicted of a crime.”

Others were holding a banner saying “open your houses for Cop26, close the doors for the fans, f *** SNP”

The joke event was highlighted online by Nicola Sturgeon’s sister Gillian, 46, who stormed: “The police have been informed of your name. In case you are reading this.

“Looks like you’re going to have a merry Christmas… Nic’s safety is on this.”

But after Mr Brown’s arrest, Scottish police were charged with “arresting people for making jokes” on Friday.

One Twitter user claimed that ‘Scotland is rapidly sliding into a very disturbing form of authoritarianism’, while another reflected: ‘Stop people for making jokes now, right? Christ’.

Another said: “She (Mrs. Sturgeon) really hates to see any of us trying to have fun.” A third added: “Charged for throwing a party. Even North Korea would think it was going too far.”

Others praised the man who organized the event, calling him a “legend”.

A Scottish Police spokesperson said: “A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged with communication offenses. He was released on a recognizance to appear in court at a later date.

The Prime Minister is facing a huge backlash from his latest restrictions, which will effectively ban football fans from matches, major New Year’s celebrations, restricting pubs to table service only and closing nightclubs.

Its measures went into effect on December 27 and are expected to last at least three weeks as Omicron plunges the country into crisis.