'He's telling the TRUTH!' Ex-criminal backs suspended police chairman in race row

He pointed to two recent high-profile cases of officers being investigated due to alleged racist confrontations before being exonerated after lengthy tribunals and appeals.

Prior was supported by current and former police federation chairs last night when this broadcaster broke the news of his suspension, but he now has gathered support from the other side of justice.

“I’m Muslim and I’ve used vexatious complaints to avoid investigations,” said Sicarius McGrath, a former gun-runner and extortionist who now works to rehabilitate criminals.

“All my partners from 2009 to 2013 were black or mixed race and they would often submit malicious complaints to keep police away from me.”

He added: “Officers are being suspended for things that they wouldn’t have needed to worry about 20 years ago.

“Organised criminal gangs are aware of this and they are using the fear of complaints to their advantage.”

McGrath, who is based in the north west, told GB News that a lot of the active criminals he speaks to are adopting this change of approach to their criminal tactics.

“The liberal commentary on race and policing is helping their cause. Recently I went for a meal with a gang member.

"He recruits black kids specifically for running drugs because they’re less inclined to be stopped. All this is doing is allowing young black kids to be exploited by gangs.”

McGrath continued: “He’s based in the south of England but this is a strategy being adopted across the country. Rick Prior has been suspended for telling the truth. He is absolutely right about this.

“And this is strong coming from me because I am quite sympathetic to ethnic minorities, I think they get worse sentencings for the same crimes as white criminals.”

Prior’s suspension has been supported by some police officers, with Andy George, President of the National Black Police Association, said that Prior was “completely out of line” with his language.

“His words have a profound impact on the Met’s ability to keep all Londoners safe. The Met needs the trust of all communities in London to solve crime and prevent harm and Rick's comments further alienate people who have the least trust in policing to protect them.”

They said: "The Metropolitan Police Federation are aware that Chair Rick Prior has been placed under investigation by the Police Federation of England and Wales.

"While this investigation takes place, Rick has been asked to step back from all Federation duties.

"The MPF are supporting Rick through this process. We hope that this matter is resolved swiftly.

"The important job of representing and backing our members out there policing the streets of London continues unaffected.

"We will not be commenting further at this time."