THE arrest of activists using counter-terrorism laws is just the “tip of an intimidation iceberg” of attacks on freedom of speech and dissent, the producer of a new film said today.

Norman Thomas, of Platform Films, said: “We are seeing a state-sponsored clampdown designed to silence anyone who speaks out or demonstrates in support of Palestine. 

“The arrests we’ve seen so far are just the tip of an intimidation iceberg. The government is criminalising dissent.”

The filmmaker’s comments are based on research carried out for an upcoming documentary, Censoring Palestine, which stars Ken Loach and will be released in December.

Mr Thomas says he is collecting more and more stories of “doxing” — activists being unmasked online and reported to their employers.

He said: “People are being smeared to their employers as anti-semitic simply for going on a Palestine demo.

“Some even lose their jobs. This kind of victimisation and intimidation thrives on being kept secret.

“We are appealing to anyone who has been targeted, whether by the police or in their workplace, to come and tell us their story.”

Mr Thomas, the filmmaker behind Oh Jeremy Corbyn: The Big Lie, announced that local groups will be able to screen the film free of charge upon its release next month.