Dear Sir Stephen,
We are writing to express our concern about yet another damning set of allegations concerning Metropolitan Police Officers, this time involving those from the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection command.
The vitriolic racism described in these reports – including against black victims of crime – is shocking, and it is welcome that these whatsapp messages have been exposed by Dave Eden.
This is further evidence that the London Mayor has been right to call for more action to tackle discriminatory attitudes within the service.
We would be grateful if you could answer the following questions:
- Are any serving police officers in the whatsapp group exposed by Dave Eden?
- If so, has any disciplinary action been taken against those officers?
- What action are you taking to ensure officers in current employ do not hold such views?
- Will you issue a clear statement that any serving officers who express such views will be sacked from the force for gross misconduct?
All of us have an interest in the Metropolitan Police rebuilding trust with all of London’s communities, and revelations like these undermine the support for the vital work you do to try to keep our streets safe.
When Dame Cressida Dick resigned she accepted that action needs to be taken to “root out those who don’t uphold our standards and don’t deserve to wear our uniform”. We fully agree with that sentiment. But these can no longer be seen as isolated cases, but an institutional problem that needs to be addressed seriously and relentlessly.
We very much hope you accept that wanting to tackle these issues is not “politicising policing” but about removing bigotry from the force, for which there should be universal support.
Warm regards,
Dawn Butler MP
Chair, London Group of Labour MPs