[VIDEOS] The Black Lives Matter initiative in the UK

[MenInG]

A Labour MP who has accused the Metropolitan Police of racially profiling her has told Sky News: "This cannot continue".

Dawn Butler, who represents Brent Central in northwest London, said police officers stopped her "black male friend" who was driving a "nice car" and questioned her while she was in the passenger seat.

She recorded the incident in Hackney, in which officers are heard saying they were searching the area because of "gang and knife crime".

Dawn Butler MP was stopped by police in Hackey.

In a tweet on Monday morning, the MP dismissed "racist trolls" who are "going crazy with conspiracy theories" surrounding the stop.

During the video of the incident, Ms Butler tells the officers: "It is really quite irritating.

"It's like you cannot drive around and enjoy a Sunday afternoon whilst black because you're going to be stopped by police."

One of the officers tells her: "I appreciate everything you say and I do apologise for wasting your time."

The Met Police said in a statement that an officer had "incorrectly entered" the registration into a police computer which identified the car as registered to an address in Yorkshire.

"Once the mistake was realised the officer sought to explain this to the occupants; they were then allowed on their way," the statement continued.

"No searches were carried out on any individuals."

Speaking to Kay Burley @ Breakfast, Ms Butler said the incident "left me scratching my head".

She said: "Driving on a public road - where else would we be driving? To make sure we're in the area for the right reason - we were driving through.

"I wasn't actually going to eat in Hackney, but there are some nice places to eat in Hackney. None of this made sense.

"But I think, in a way, it shows you the bias and the assumption that happens when you see black people, in a car, driving - that they're automatically saying that we need to check that these people are here for the right reason. That they're not criminals.

"We need to change that. We need to change that thinking and that's going to take a lot of effort and it needs to be done quickly."

Dawn Butler MP said she is 'angry and annoyed' after being stopped by police in east London.

MP decries 'institutional racism' in the police

Ms Butler added: "This cannot continue. In the light of Black Lives Matter, what we're trying to do is dismantle the structural racism that takes place."

The MP said her experience is one that "happens to black people every single day".

She added: "This happens to black men every single day, whether they're walking, driving or on a bike. It happens every single day."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he had contacted Ms Butler to discuss the incident and offer support.

"All allegations of racial profiling must be taken extremely seriously by the Metropolitan Police," he said in a tweet.

Sir Keir added: "It's imperative that the Black community have trust and confidence in our police. The abuse Dawn has received over social media is wrong and must be condemned."

Asked about the incident, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "The police have made a statement saying that they made a mistake.

"They have spoken to the occupants of the car but it's obviously very, very important that the Met continue to do everything that they can - as indeed they do - to show that they are serving every part of our country, every part of our community, with fairness and equality."

The PM's spokesman said he does not share Ms Butler's view that the Metropolitan Police is "institutionally racist", adding: "The Met, like police forces across England and Wales, are working very hard tackling issues such as knife crime and drugs."

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation into whether officers in England and Wales racially discriminate against ethnic minority people.

There is a disparity rate of 4.3 for all black, Asian and minority ethnic people and 9.7 for black people, according to the latest official statistics.

Asked by Sky News about claims that the video had been doctored in some way, Ms Butler said: "It just made me think of the length that people will go to excuse racism away or discrimination away or injustice away.

"It just shocked me. Why would I flip my camera? I pressed record and I was recording. I turned the camera when I had to record the police officer. There was no flipping of the camera."

https://news.sky.com/story/this-can...lice-stop-left-me-scratching-my-head-12046379

 

[Firebat]

Black Met Police inspector 'racially harassed' by officers

A black police inspector is suing the Met Police for racial harassment after being stopped in his car by two white officers.

Insp Charles Ehikioya recorded the incident in which he said officers stopped him without justification as he drove home from work in south London.

He told the BBC it showed an "abuse of power" and he was speaking out in solidarity with the black community.

The Met said it found no evidence of misconduct.

The 55-year-old had been driving home after his shift on 23 May when he was followed for two miles by officers and stopped in Croydon, according to his complaint.

As one officer approached, Insp Ehikioya said he noticed he had not switched on his body-worn camera and for that reason he refused to leave his car.

He said he then started to record the incident for protection, at which point the officer turned on his bodycam.

In the recording, shared with BBC News, the officer said Insp Ehikioya was being stopped for driving at speed and it "looked like he had gone through a red light".

The officer said he needed to see Insp Ehikioya's driving licence and proof he was insured to drive the car, that the vehicle had not been stolen, and to check he was not drunk or had been using his phone.

He claimed Insp Ehikioya's driving was "unusual", which he strongly disputed, according to the recording.

Insp Ehikioya was then accused of being obstructive and the officer said his own behaviour had been perfectly reasonable, it can be heard.

"These were alleged offences that could have ended my whole career," said Mr Ehikioya, who has worked for the Met Police for more than 22 years.

In his formal complaint, Insp Ehikioya wrote: "The officers did not believe or did not care that I was an officer, because I am black.

"They are both clearly racist police officers pretending to be polite whilst falsely accusing me without any evidence whatsoever of having committed serious criminal and road traffic act offences."

After Insp Ehikioya informed them he was a serving police officer and later showed them his police badge, both officers left the scene.

Spoiler

'Racially profiled'

The Met said Insp Ehikioya was not arrested, charged or cautioned for any offence in relation to the stop.

"I believed I was racially profiled and received no apology," Insp Ehikioya added.

"I have kids and a grandson, I would not want them treated like this."

Asked why he had chosen to take legal action against the Met, Insp Ehikioya said he was "not prepared to sit quietly and be silenced".

"In my view it's not the whole organisation that's like that, it's only a few individuals that are causing this issue.

"I have no choice but to react in the way I'm reacting to bring it to the attention... Actions speak louder than words," he said.

The Met has come under increasing scrutiny since the wave of Black Lives Matter protests in the UK after the death of African-American George Floyd.

Last week, the Labour MP Dawn Butler called for a "system change" after she and a black male friend were stopped and pulled over in east London by two police cars.

In July, the British sprinter Bianca Williams received an apology from the Met Police after she and her partner were pulled over in their car for a stop-and-search in west London.

Lawrence Davies, of Equal Justice Solicitors who is representing Insp Ehikioya, said the incident showed the "extent of the current racism in the Metropolitan Police".

"The conduct of a few embarrasses the vast majority of officers who are not racist but who, as a consequence of that conduct, have to work with very distrusting BAME communities," he said.

The Met confirmed it had received an internal complaint from a driver who alleged they were stopped as a result of racial profiling and said an investigation was undertaken by the Professional Standards Unit.

In a statement, the Met said the vehicle was followed by officers through suspicion of excessive speed at a traffic signal and onward.

No action was taken against the man stopped and, after reviewing body-worn footage, no evidence of misconduct was found, it said.

The statement added: "Any allegation, whether external or internal, made concerning the conduct of our staff is taken extremely seriously.

"Where the conduct of staff is proven to have fallen below the standards of behaviour expected, we will take robust action to ensure that staff are appropriately disciplined and that lessons are learnt from each case."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-53811375

 

[MenInG]

More than 7,500 people have now complained to Ofcom following a dance inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement performed on Britain's Got Talent.

Following the routine by previous winners Diversity on Saturday night, hundreds of people complained to the media watchdog in the hours that followed. As the story made headlines this week, the numbers continued to increase.

https://news.sky.com/story/britains...-diversitys-black-lives-matter-dance-12067811

 

[Firebat]

Jofra Archer: England have not forgotten about Black Lives Matter

Bowler Jofra Archer says England have not forgotten about the Black Lives Matter movement despite criticism from West Indies legend Michael Holding.

Holding described the decision for players to stop taking a knee after the West Indies series as "lame".

Archer, who took 3-34 as England beat Australia in the second one-day international on Sunday, said the criticism was "a bit harsh".

"No-one here has forgotten about Black Lives Matter," Archer said.

"I've spoken to (England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive) Tom Harrison and we have got stuff running in the background," Archer said.

"I'm pretty sure Michael Holding doesn't know anything that's going on behind the scenes."

During the July Test series, England and West Indies players and staff took a knee before each match and players wore a Black Lives Matter logo on their shirts.

But that did not continue into the Pakistan series or the current Australia limited-overs matches.

The ECB has said it is committed to ensuring "long-term and sustainable change" for all communities who are not treated equally.

Archer, 25, has received racist abuse on social media in the past and was abused by a spectator during a Test in New Zealand last year.

He has often posted screenshots of messages on his social media platforms to encourage people to report it.

"As long as there is social media, as long as the person does not have to confront you, I think it will still go on," Archer said.

"My mum always says you can't think for people. All we can do is try to act accordingly, report it and do what's best.

"I'm strong enough to deal with it, but what happens when they start targeting someone that isn't mentally as strong and it starts affecting them?

"We've got to try to stamp it out as much as possible."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/54142377

 

[Tubs]

I understand the sentiment of BLM, but I feel like (in the US at least) the efforts should be more directed at the fact that many African Americans are in poverty due to the cycle of poverty which stems from slavery. I've seen stats that show that black people are killed by cops less than white people (proportionally), so I'm unsure how much weight the police brutality aspect holds.

Not to sound cynical, but I worry that there will be many cases of black people claiming racism when it isn't there. It seems like a black person can't be stopped by the police now without the police being labelled as racist.

 

[Tubs]

At least us Muslims in the UK met the far right head on, slapped them from pillar to post, beat them in open debates and nearly wiped them out from the UK.

Now these all talk BLM fools are turning the clock back without doing nothing apart from running their mouths on our streets and causing a race war, where it will be us Muslims again helping these clowns.

This gave me a great laugh. Your delusions of grandeur are something to behold.

 

[MenInG]

Five police officers are being investigated for misconduct after Great Britain sprinter Bianca Williams and her partner were handcuffed during a stop and search.

Williams claimed officers racially profiled her in the incident on July 4 in Maida Vale, west London, which saw the pair being separated from their three-month-old son.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick later apologised to Williams.

 

[Technics 1210]

Where's BLM these days? They gone deeper underground or has the sheeple liberal euphoria died out?

 

[KingKhanWC]

This gave me a great laugh. Your delusions of grandeur are something to behold.

Delusions? Im giving you historical facts here. EDL have been smashed both in debates and physically. Not everyone is a geeky college boy.

Where's BLM these days? They gone deeper underground or has the sheeple liberal euphoria died out?

BLM was never in the Uk, just some fools jumping on the bandwagon, getting played by the media.

We now have some football clubs refusing to take the knee before a match, good on them. Keep the American politics and propaganda out of the UK!

 

[Robert]

At least us Muslims in the UK met the far right head on, slapped them from pillar to post, beat them in open debates and nearly wiped them out from the UK.

Now these all talk BLM fools are turning the clock back without doing nothing apart from running their mouths on our streets and causing a race war, where it will be us Muslims again helping these clowns.

Well “you” didn’t do a very good job. The fascists are stronger than ever.

“Causing a race war” - classic victim blaming. Like that Malcolm X bloke?

I am seeing signs that BLM is morphing into local community groups, and invited one onto a political forum I attend on Zoom.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Blm... Making everyone go on their knees. Grovel springs to mind.

 

[Tubs]

Delusions? Im giving you historical facts here. EDL have been smashed both in debates and physically. Not everyone is a geeky college boy.



BLM was never in the Uk, just some fools jumping on the bandwagon, getting played by the media.

We now have some football clubs refusing to take the knee before a match, good on them. Keep the American politics and propaganda out of the UK!

I don't doubt that some clashes occurred, but to suggest that what you said wasn't hyperbole is disingenuous. The EDL certainly has become obsolete, or at least very decentralised, which I am happy about, but other far right groups exist, and Muslims weren't the only reason (or likely the main reason) why the EDL is functionally gone. I know you like this tough guy act, it just makes me laugh, that's all.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Well “you” didn’t do a very good job. The fascists are stronger than ever.

“Causing a race war” - classic victim blaming. Like that Malcolm X bloke?

I am seeing signs that BLM is morphing into local community groups, and invited one onto a political forum I attend on Zoom.

EDL and Britain first are virtually wiped out now. Tommy Robinson has to run off to Spain, Britain first were taken to court, while the likes of Katie hopkins is now broke. Do keep up.

Malcolm X was a great man, greater than facists like Winston Churchill, UK could do with a great man like Malcolm to bring some civilised behaviour and say it like it is.

BLM is a look of **, financed by oligarchs to create a race divide. Only a fool would join this group.

 

[Technics 1210]

Well “you” didn’t do a very good job. The fascists are stronger than ever.

“Causing a race war” - classic victim blaming. Like that Malcolm X bloke?

I am seeing signs that BLM is morphing into local community groups, and invited one onto a political forum I attend on Zoom.

I am flabbergasted you are dissing Malcolm X.

 

[Robert]

EDL and Britain first are virtually wiped out now. Tommy Robinson has to run off to Spain, Britain first were taken to court, while the likes of Katie hopkins is now broke. Do keep up.

Malcolm X was a great man, greater than facists like Winston Churchill, UK could do with a great man like Malcolm to bring some civilised behaviour and say it like it is.

BLM is a look of **, financed by oligarchs to create a race divide. Only a fool would join this group.

Malcolm X was a black man who stood against structural racism, so by your criterion he was a clown and a fool and starting a race war and so were all his followers. Or are onlyMuslims allowed to protest, nobody else? All I ask is a bit of consistency from you.

Heh. Never mind those loudmouths you mention. The really dangerous fascists have moved into Government, mate. They are dismantling British democracy as we speak.
.

 

[Technics 1210]

The Liberals (and Remainers) have been dismantling British democracy since 2016.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Malcolm X was a black man who stood against structural racism, so by your criterion he was a clown and a fool and starting a race war and so were all his followers. Or are onlyMuslims allowed to protest, nobody else? All I ask is a bit of consistency from you.

Heh. Never mind those loudmouths you mention. The really dangerous fascists have moved into Government, mate. They are dismantling British democracy as we speak.
.

Malcolm in the end beleived all people are equal. BLM and Far right dont.

I told you if Corbyn didnt win, it would be the beginning of the end for the UK. Wait until 2030, the bubble of the west will be burst. You think its only the Iraqis, Yemense, Kashmiris, Palsetinians, Afghan, Syrians, Africans, South Americans , South Asians who will see war and destruction. Sadly the UK , Europen and US are next to see destruction in the next two decades. I dont like it but Ive done well enough to move to a nice valley north Pakistan with fresh fruits, fresh water and a good life when this goes all tts up.

 

[Lurker_Ind]

What has Britain got to do with BLM? Why should cricketers take a knee and honor BLM? Micheal Holding a fool of the highest order.

If everyone starts taking a knee to all movements happening around the world, 24 hours will not be enough to show support to them.

 

[Robert]

Malcolm in the end beleived all people are equal. BLM and Far right dont.

I told you if Corbyn didnt win, it would be the beginning of the end for the UK. Wait until 2030, the bubble of the west will be burst. You think its only the Iraqis, Yemense, Kashmiris, Palsetinians, Afghan, Syrians, Africans, South Americans , South Asians who will see war and destruction. Sadly the UK , Europen and US are next to see destruction in the next two decades. I dont like it but Ive done well enough to move to a nice valley north Pakistan with fresh fruits, fresh water and a good life when this goes all tts up.

As you say he was a great man. I was talking about your criterion, not him. You’ve avoided the question. You call one black man standing up for himself great but British black people (and their white allies) folks and clown and race warmongers. I can only presume that you think only a Muslim blacks are allowed to stand up for themselves.

Corbyn was a figurehead for a movement for change but he did not have the brains and political ability of Malcolm X and could not deliver the goods.

Brexit is the beginning of the end of the UK. I don’t blame you for getting out. I am looking at it too. Some sunny island....

 

[KingKhanWC]

As you say he was a great man. I was talking about your criterion, not him. You’ve avoided the question. You call one black man standing up for himself great but British black people (and their white allies) folks and clown and race warmongers. I can only presume that you think only a Muslim blacks are allowed to stand up for themselves.

Corbyn was a figurehead for a movement for change but he did not have the brains and political ability of Malcolm X and could not deliver the goods.

Brexit is the beginning of the end of the UK. I don’t blame you for getting out. I am looking at it too. Some sunny island....

Malcolm would never have supported BLM because it has poltical affiliations and because it's leaders have other motives not just standing up to the treatment of blacks around the world. I support anti-racism but I dont support such groups which are divisive and want to defund police or use hate speech against law officers esp in the UK.

We cant blame Corbyn for not being Malcolm X but like X wanted a fair and just society, something which these Tories care not of.

Regardless of our disagreements, I wish you well and you and Mrs Robert are always welcome to join me on my island or in some beautiful valley. Living under slave rule in a decling society is a mugs game.

 

[Robert]

Malcolm would never have supported BLM because it has poltical affiliations and because it's leaders have other motives not just standing up to the treatment of blacks around the world. I support anti-racism but I dont support such groups which are divisive and want to defund police or use hate speech against law officers esp in the UK.

We cant blame Corbyn for not being Malcolm X but like X wanted a fair and just society, something which these Tories care not of.

Regardless of our disagreements, I wish you well and you and Mrs Robert are always welcome to join me on my island or in some beautiful valley. Living under slave rule in a decling society is a mugs game.

Of course Malcolm X was political, he wanted equality for blacks in an unequal society, that is a political standpoint. Decades after he was murdered, blacks still don’t have equality.

As I understand it, “defund the police” means demilitarise them and use the money for social programmes, thereby reducing the need for aggressive policing.

Though we seem to disagree on most things I have come to realise that you are a good man and thank you for your generous invitation. Mrs Robert talks about The Gambia where we could live rather well, I think.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Of course Malcolm X was political, he wanted equality for blacks in an unequal society, that is a political standpoint. Decades after he was murdered, blacks still don’t have equality.

As I understand it, “defund the police” means demilitarise them and use the money for social programmes, thereby reducing the need for aggressive policing.

Though we seem to disagree on most things I have come to realise that you are a good man and thank you for your generous invitation. Mrs Robert talks about The Gambia where we could live rather well, I think.

Not entirely sure we can deduce one of the greatest figures in history to a few lines on a forum. He was clearly a complex individual whose ideology was vastly different from his early activism until his untimely passing.

 

[Robert]

Not entirely sure we can deduce one of the greatest figures in history to a few lines on a forum. He was clearly a complex individual whose ideology was vastly different from his early activism until his untimely passing.

My use of his name was to illuminate what I hold to be a double standard in criticism of BLM.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Of course Malcolm X was political, he wanted equality for blacks in an unequal society, that is a political standpoint. Decades after he was murdered, blacks still don’t have equality.

As I understand it, “defund the police” means demilitarise them and use the money for social programmes, thereby reducing the need for aggressive policing.

Though we seem to disagree on most things I have come to realise that you are a good man and thank you for your generous invitation. Mrs Robert talks about The Gambia where we could live rather well, I think.

Malcolm gave up the black nationalist movement in it's extreme form, he left Nation of Islam after he returned from the Hajj pilgramage. He realised the white man is not the devil and we are all equal in the eyes of God. Sadly he was murdered before he could until people of all backgrounds which is the best way to stop discrimination. He would never have supported BLM for many reasons but the name alone would make him cringe.

Thanks Robert. Interesting place. Im thinking North Pakistan in the valleys or a nice tropical island.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We hold the largest social movement in global history. Today, we have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. People are waking up to our global call: for racial justice and an end to economic injustice, environmental racism, and white supremacy. We're only getting started <a href="https://t.co/xjestPNFzC">pic.twitter.com/xjestPNFzC</a></p>— Black Lives Matter (@Blklivesmatter) <a href="https://twitter.com/Blklivesmatter/status/1355311382313447424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[guna]

Good to see multiculturalism working out well for Britain.

 

[MenInG]

The Metropolitan police is facing a fresh allegation of racism after a black man walking his dog claimed he was choked for 90 seconds in a headlock before being taken back to a police station and strip-searched.

Following a decade-long legal battle for justice, the Met last month accepted that Zac Sharif-Ali was illegally stopped and searched by a white officer, PC Duncan Bullock, on London’s Chiswick Common in December 2012.

Bullock, who was dressed in plain clothes, did not properly identify himself, failing to give his name or station, which made the search unlawful. Sharif-Ali was released without charge the same day.

A letter from the Met’s directorate of professional standards states it is “a matter of regret” Sharif-Ali was unlawfully searched: “I acknowledge the anxiety and distress this incident caused you and would like to apologise to you on behalf of the Metropolitan police service.” Sharif-Ali received £30,000 worth of damages bringing to an end his civil claim for compensation against the Met.

However, the letter offers no apology for any force used against Sharif-Ali, who had a mental breakdown in the aftermath of the incident. The Met told the Observer that Sharif-Ali was not stopped and searched because of the colour of his skin. The force also denied the officer used an unapproved neck restraint and that Sharif-Ali was placed in a prolonged neck hold.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) looked into the case after the Met carried out three internal investigations, all of which it deemed to be inadequate. The resulting IOPC report, which was discussed in court as part of the civil claim brought by Sharif-Ali, says the method of restraint chosen by Bullock appeared to contradict training procedures.

The report also says the reason for restraining Sharif-Ali was unclear to the other officers called to the park and their accounts indicated the manoeuvre “came out of nowhere”. It notes Bullock accepted Sharif-Ali was struggling to speak while in the neck hold – a technique, which the Metropolitan Police Officer Safety Manual warns can lead to serious injury or fatality.

The duty sergeant during the incident told the IOPC that Bullock did not have a good work ethic and would stop and search people around lunchtime and then “think he would not have anything to do for the rest of the day”. She said: “I remember that day PC Bullock had gone out for his sandwich, so I knew he would bring back a stop and search record form as he always conducted a stop and search when he went to get his lunch.”

The IOPC investigation, which was completed in 2017, concluded that Bullock had a case to answer for misconduct for his decision to stop and search and then strip search Sharif-Ali. It also found he had a case to answer for the allegation of excessive force against Sharif-Ali.

But a Met police misconduct hearing the following year decided Bullock had reasonable grounds to search Sharif-Ali. The panel also concluded Bullock used force legitimately in the midst of a fast-paced struggle.

Sharif-Ali said the Met apology was worthless and he still had not received justice: “What did I get for being choked to the point I feared I might die? What did I get for being stripped naked and humiliated? What did I get for all the trauma and years of mental health problems? No officer has been disciplined. The Met has dragged this out for 10 years. I haven’t been able to heal and move on. It’s like they have gone out of their way to aggravate my pain.”

He said he believed he was targeted because of the colour of his skin: “If I’m doing what everyone else does in a park… walking my dog and eating a sandwich… then which one of my actions gave him any suspicion? I looked casually professional. So, what else is there other than the colour of my skin that would make him think I was doing anything illegal?”

Sharif-Ali, who is a postal worker and aspiring musician, accused the Met of closing ranks and defending wrongdoing: “It shows it goes much higher than just the officers on the street. It runs through the whole institution.”

The incident led to him becoming distrustful and suspicious. His relationship with his partner broke down and he lost touch with his friends and family. He was treated by his community mental health team and his GP for nine years following the incident. “It ruined my character, my confidence, my mental state, which affects your ability to obtain work, your ability to seize opportunities. I’ve lost everything,” he said.

Bullock told the IOPC he first approached Sharif-Ali because he was “hanging around the park”, which he subsequently admitted, “sounded very weak”. He later claimed Sharif-Ali was on his phone in a known drug dealing hotspot. But the IOPC found that Bullock’s rationale was “poorly supported” as there was no specific intelligence justifying him searching Sharif-Ali. The IOPC, however, noted there was no evidence to support the allegation the search was racially motivated.

The IOPC said both men offered conflicting accounts of their interaction, with Sharif-Ali and Bullock claiming each of them were rude and aggressive. The report, however, noted the accounts indicated Bullock was not relying on conflict management training models, which encourage officers to engage in a respectful and mindful way.

The IOPC heard from another officer that Bullock put Sharif-Ali in a headlock, pushed him to the ground and punched him twice in the shoulder while attempting to put him in handcuffs.

Bullock said he restrained Sharif Ali as he was resisting attempts to handcuff him. He told the IOPC he grabbed him from behind “by the shoulders and neck” and brought him down on to the floor. He added that he continued to hold him as he had an arm out: “I tried to counteract his attempts by using my weight to make the male flush to the floor… as I did, I told the male to stop resisting as I told him to stop I heard the male struggle to speak. I realised my arm was around his neck and immediately let go.”

However, Sharif Ali told the IOPC he was talking with the other officers and not resisting when Bullock restrained him. He said: “Suddenly, it became apparent to me that my airways were being cut off while in this chokehold. I was gasping for breath while standing and I seemed to lose consciousness whereby my legs weakened and as I was about to fall to the floor…. [PC Bullock] knowing I had no strength left, aggressively slammed my chest to the ground, his grip still around my neck.”

The IOPC said force was used on Sharif-Ali even though he had not been arrested on suspicion of any drugs offences, emphasising the use of force is only considered reasonable when preventing a crime or arresting an offender. The IOPC also noted Bullock’s account changed over time and contained inconsistencies, with no references to Sharif-Ali using his phone in his contemporaneous account.

Iain Gould, a solicitor, who represented Sharif-Ali, said Bullock subjected Sharif-Ali to a gross abuse of power, including a terrifying choke hold around his neck. “In many ways the worst thing that happened to Zac was not, however, the aggressive actions of Bullock but the callous rejection of Zac’s complaint by the Metropolitan Police who forced Zac through a tortuous 10-year process of complaint and litigation before finally settling his claim. The Met have shown no remorse for their actions, and if anything seem to have taken pride in fighting PC Bullock’s corner and throwing as many obstacles as possible in the path of my client’s campaign for justice.”

The Met added: “We do not underestimate the impact the use of stop and search can have, and we are redoubling our efforts to listen, engage and explain why we do what we do, and make improvements based on individuals’ lived experience to build trust in the tactic.”

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/ukne...sedgntp&cvid=2203f9dc608941f7a8865950d3e3c274

 

[MenInG]

Children are being strip-searched by the Metropolitan Police without an appropriate adult present in almost a quarter of cases, with black boys disproportionately targeted, new data shows.

The research, published by the children's commissioner for England, revealed that officers from the force conducted intrusive searches on 650 young people aged 10 to 17 between 2018 and 2020.

It was commissioned following the case of Child Q - a 15-year-old black girl who was strip-searched at her school in east London without an appropriate adult present. She was wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis.

Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said that the case had been wrongly described as "a one-off".

She explained: "In a strip search, your most intimate parts are searched. For any child, that's going to be traumatic and concerning."

It is a legal requirement for an appropriate adult to be present, except in urgent situations.

Of the 650 who were searched over the three years, 19 in every 20 were boys and 58% were described by the officer as being black.

Katrina Ffrench, the founder director of Unjust UK, said she was "incredibly horrified" by the figures.

She added: "The numbers are so high because they demonstrate that there's an issue within the Metropolitan Police and its treatment of black communities across London.

"Unfortunately, young black children are not afforded innocence and the same rights as their white peers."

In 2018, more than two-thirds of those strip-searched without anyone else present were black boys.

Solicitor Kevin Donoghue has represented children elsewhere in the country who have been through the experience.

"The fallout for these children is very significant," he said. "The common features and expressions given to me in handling these cases are one of personal intrusion.

"There is a violation by police officers which is very severely felt and one of personal integrity and their bodily autonomy which has been invaded and it is an event which cannot be undone.

"An apology is not enough. Compensation is not enough."

In the Child Q case, four officers are being investigated for gross misconduct and a serious case review has been carried out.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement that it is "progressing at pace" to ensure children subject to intrusive searches are dealt with respectfully.

And new measures have been introduced requiring an inspector to give authority before a search takes place.

It added: "We have ensured our officers and staff have a refreshed understanding of the policy for conducting a 'further search', particularly around the requirement for an appropriate adult to be present.

"We have also given officers advice around dealing with schools, ensuring that children are treated as children and considering safeguarding for those under 18."

In more than half of all child strip searches, no further action was taken.

It's left the Children's Commissioner questioning why so many are carried out in the first place.

She's also concerned about "holes in the data" recorded by the Met Police.

"For about one in five of the strip-searched, they can't even tell me where they took place, so the data collection needs to be better."

SKY

 

[MenInG]

An athlete who was allegedly racially profiled during a stop and search has said he was pulled over for a second time by seven armed police officers while driving home in London.

Portuguese sprinter Ricardo Dos Santos published a series of tweets and video footage of him being pulled over and questioned by police.

Raid officers believed he was on his phone when they stopped him, and claimed one took his baton out of his pocket "out of frustration ready to smash the glass" after not knowing how to open the car door.

He added "nothing had changed" in the two years since he was pulled over with his partner, British sprinter Bianca Williams, and their daughter.

Mr Dos Santos said in a series of tweets: "Not surprised I had to go through this again....Annoyed that 2 years down, nothing has changed."

He later said he had only shared part of the footage on social media, as the rest was with his lawyer.

In July 2020, footage of Ms Williams and Mr Dos Santos being searched and handcuffed was widely shared on social media, with Ms Williams later accusing the police of racially profiling them.

After the search, details of the couple's three-month-old baby were also stored on a police database called Merlin, used to record information on children who become known to the authorities.

In April, police watchdog body the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said an acting police sergeant and four police constables will all face a gross misconduct disciplinary hearing over the incident.

In response to the incident on Saturday, the Met confirmed the stop took place as they were "concerned the driver may be using a mobile phone at the wheel".

The force said in a statement: "We are aware of footage on social media showing part of a stop on a car.

"At about 04.00hours on Sunday, 14 August, armed officers were on routine patrol in a marked police vehicle.

"They saw a car... and were concerned the driver may be using a mobile phone at the wheel.

"The officers clearly indicated for the car to pull over, but it failed to do so, and they called for further assistance. The driver stopped about five minutes later... and the officers spoke to him about why they wanted to stop the vehicle.

"Following the conversation, the vehicle was allowed on its way. We have since contacted the driver via Twitter to invite him to contact us if he would like to discuss this matter further.

SKY

 

[daytrader]

Man shot dead by police 'was set to become father'
A man who was shot dead by police after a chase in south London was set to become a father, his fiancee's mother has said.

Chris Kaba, who was in his 20s, died in hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning after being shot at about 10pm on Monday night in Streatham Hill.

Metropolitan Police officers said they used a tactic where they deliberately crash into a car in an attempt to bring the chase to an end in Kirkstall Gardens, a residential street.

Local residents reported hearing gunshots and a police helicopter hovering overhead.

Some paying tribute at the scene said Mr Kaba was a rapper known as Madix or Mad Itch 67.

But Kim Alleyne, whose daughter Karimah Waite was engaged to Mr Kaba, said this was not true and that he had an apprenticeship to become an architect.

She said: "He was so loved. He was so funny. He was super kind. Crazy. He was always happy. He'd do anything for you.

"He was a fiance, he was due to get married in five months' time. He's got a baby on the way that he's never going to see.

"It's horrible and so shocking and so sad."

Ms Alleyne questioned why police shot Mr Kaba, and added her daughter "is in a tremendous amount of pain".

She added: "She cannot process her feelings because it's a type of pain that you cannot explain. The baby is due in November.

"If that was a white boy, he would have got a chance to get out the car."

Jefferson Bosela, who said he was Mr Kaba's cousin, said the driver was a musician who went by the stage name "Itch".

He added: "He was a good person, a good, happy guy. He didn't deserve that. No one deserves that.

"Nobody deserves to be shot by the police, whether they are a good person or a bad person."

Police said Mr Kaba received first aid from officers at the scene before being taken to hospital, but he died at 12.16am.

A 39-year-old man, who lives on nearby New Park Road and asked not to be named, said: "The (driver) drove up New Park Road and turned up Kirkstall Gardens.

"A police car came down Kirkstall Gardens and crashed into him.

"Another police car came in behind him and they had him locked in at the bottom of Kirkstall Gardens.

"The car was immobile when he was shot."

Another witness told the Evening Standard that the man who was shot, driving an Audi, tried to ram his way past the police cars.

Cordons are in place on Kirkstall Gardens and New Park Road, with a forensic tent put up and officers gathering evidence at the scene.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating.

MSN

 

[MenInG]

The firearms officer who shot dead Chris Kaba in south London should have been suspended from duty much sooner, the victim's family says.

The officer fired a single shot at the 24-year-old rapper, who was unarmed, in Streatham Hill on 5 September.

Mr Kaba's family welcomed the suspension, announced by the Met on Monday, but said there was "no urgency" around the investigation.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened a homicide inquiry.

The Met Police said in its statement on Monday the firearms officer had been suspended due to the "significant impact on public confidence", but its decision did "not determine the outcome of the IOPC investigation".

Speaking to the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Mr Kaba's cousin Jefferson Bosela said the Met Police should have suspended the officer as soon as the homicide investigation was launched by the IOPC, which was announced on 9 September.

Mr Bosela, the family's spokesman, said: "We welcome that decision [suspension] but, to be honest, I think the second a criminal investigation was opened he should have been suspended from there.

Demanding police footage

"You know, first we wanted a criminal investigation opened and that took four days, and then the officer being suspended took another two days.

"So it seems like there's no urgency in their dealings with this quite tragic matter."

Mr Kaba, who was due to become a father, was stopped by firearms officers when his car was flagged by a number plate recognition camera.

Mr Bosela added the family wanted to know if police officers believed they were stopping the suspected owner of the car or Mr Kaba, who the family says was not the registered owner.

The family is also demanding the IOPC releases police-worn camera footage of the shooting and aerial helicopter footage, as well as a timeline for the investigation.

'They're struggling'
Mr Bosela said: "Chris's parents are suffering an unimaginable loss. The nature in which he died makes it really harsh and so difficult. They're so strong but they're struggling."

News of the officer's suspension on Monday came as Mr Kaba's family and friends joined members of the local community at a candlelit vigil, in the residential street where he was fatally shot, to mark one week since his death.

"At the vigil, his mother was saying, 'Chris, what were you saying in your last minutes? I wish I had just one minute with you, speak to me please'. It was heart-breaking," Mr Bosela continued.

"Personally, I haven't been eating. I've lost so much weight. I'm grieving, when I can, but my focus right now is fighting for justice."

'Really important decision'

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the decision by Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to suspend the officer was "a really important decision", which he "fully" supported.

The mayor added it was important the IOPC had the time it needed to carry out its investigation properly.

MP for Streatham Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who is supporting the Kaba family, said: "The Met have finally suspended the officer who fired the shot that killed Chris Kaba.

"It shouldn't have taken public pressure to make this happen.

"Time to honour the family's further demands without delay."

Mr Bosela has set up a GoFundMe account and an Instagram account, @JusticeForChrisKaba, for the family's campaign.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Investigators will consider whether race was a factor in the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba, it has been revealed.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it will "explore all of the circumstances" surrounding the death of the unarmed rapper, including whether "race influenced any actions taken by the police".

Mr Kaba, 24, was shot by police officers on 5 September after a police pursuit of his car which ended in Streatham Hill, south London.

His Audi was hemmed in by two police cars in a narrow residential street before one round was fired from a police weapon.

The Metropolitan Police officer involved has been suspended.

The IOPC will examine whether the police officers knew Mr Kaba before the incident and how they came to be aware of the vehicle he had been driving.

IOPC regional director Sal Naseem said: "We fully appreciate that Chris Kaba's devastated family and the community have a lot of unanswered questions about his death.

"We have been in further contact with Chris's family this week to answer a number of questions they have and to offer them privately and confidentially the opportunity to view video footage as soon as it is practicable.

'Significant amount of evidence'

"We have also advised Chris's family that we aim to complete our investigation within six to nine months.

"We understand that people want answers quickly, but this is a complex investigation involving a significant amount of evidence.

"There are a number of inquiries to carry out over the coming weeks and months, including expert analysis, and it is important that we allow our investigation to run its course as we seek to establish all of the facts."

'Unacceptably long'

Mr Kaba's relatives, however, are upset that the investigation could take up to nine months, saying this is "unacceptably long" and "lacks urgency".

Daniel Machover, head of civil litigation at Hickman & Rose, who is acting on behalf of the family, said: "It indicates insufficient resources to do the job.

"Meanwhile, the IOPC continues to withhold basic information from the family."

Assistant Commissioner Amanda Pearson said: "We continue to fully support the IOPC investigation as they work to establish the facts and try to answer the many questions Mr Kaba's family and others have around his tragic death.

"We've been spending this week speaking with local communities across London, including our Independent Advisory Groups - we know how important it is we listen to their views and concerns and explain as far as we can what is happening. We welcome more of these important conversations."

'Evident pain and frustration'

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Black Police Association (Met BPA) said: "There has been a legitimate and powerful show of community strength and unity.

"While heartening to see, it comes yet again through evident pain and frustration.

"This incident comes at a critical time when the MPS remains in special measures over a string of high profile and appalling incidents and are signed up to the Race Action Plan, which commits to fair treatment and anti-racism in policing.

"Therefore, it is vitally important these commitments manifest themselves in sensitive and meaningful engagement in the community, timely information and responsive support to the Kaba family.

"The Met BPA continue to be vocal as a critical friend to the Metropolitan Police and in support of London's community."

An inquest into Mr Kaba's death will be opened on 4 October.

SKY

 

[James]

<b>The mother of an unarmed black man who was killed by a police officer in south London has again called for justice after being shown the bodycam footage of his shooting.</b>

Chris Kaba, 24, was killed on 5 September after a police chase in Streatham Hill.

His Audi was hemmed in by two police cars in a narrow residential street before one round was fired from a police weapon.

The Metropolitan Police officer involved has been suspended.

Earlier on Wednesday, the family spoke with new Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and were shown bodycam footage of the incident.

Following the meeting, Mr Kaba's mother Helen Nkama said: "It was hard… very hard.

"As I've said before, my heart is already broken.

"What I want is justice for my son and I want the truth."

Jefferson Bosela, Mr Kaba's cousin, was also at the meeting.

"It was hard, but the family just wants justice," he said.

"For now, the family are going to take a break and take a step back."

Last week, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it would "explore all of the circumstances" surrounding the death of the rapper, including whether "race influenced any actions taken by the police".

The IOPC will examine whether the police officers knew Mr Kaba before the incident and how they came to be aware of the vehicle he had been driving.

IOPC regional director Sal Naseem said: "We fully appreciate that Chris Kaba's devastated family and the community have a lot of unanswered questions about his death.

"We have also advised Chris's family that we aim to complete our investigation within six to nine months.

"We understand that people want answers quickly, but this is a complex investigation involving a significant amount of evidence.

"There are a number of inquiries to carry out over the coming weeks and months, including expert analysis, and it is important that we allow our investigation to run its course as we seek to establish all of the facts."

Mr Kaba's relatives, however, are upset that the investigation could take up to nine months, saying this is "unacceptably long" and "lacks urgency".

An inquest into Mr Kaba's death will be opened on 4 October.

https://news.sky.com/story/chris-kabas-family-shown-bodycam-footage-of-police-shooting-him-dead-before-fresh-call-for-justice-12702851

 

[FearlessRoar]

Vaughan Gething is set to become Wales's next first minister after winning the Labour leadership race.

Mr Gething, 50, will also become the first black man to hold the post, and the first black leader of any European country.

He is expected to be confirmed as the country's first minister on Wednesday when a vote will be held in the Senedd.

He will succeed Mark Drakeford, who has held the position since 2018.

Mr Gething beat his only rival, the education minister Jeremy Miles, winning 51.7% of the vote.

Sky News