'Absurd!' Support grows for police chair who was suspended after speaking to GB News on Met race fears
Police federation suspends Met chair after GB News interview about officers’ racism fears
GB News/PA
Free Speech Union has vowed to aid Rick Prior, who was suspended after saying police fear racism investigations
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The Free Speech Union has offered support to the suspended chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation after he said that police officers were “hesitating” when dealing with ethnic minorities due to racism investigation fears.
Rick Prior was elected by the federation’s 30,000 members in April.
He is under investigation by the Police Federation of England and Wales due to concerns about “discrimination” in an interview with GB News.
Toby Young, the union’s director, told this broadcaster: “Suspending Rick Prior because he gave voice to a point of view shared by thousands of Metropolitan Police officers is completely absurd.
“That’s precisely what his job is. The Free Speech Union has reached out to offer its support.”
GB News understands that Prior will accept the offer of support.
Rick Prior has been suspended by the Police Federation of England and Wales after he told this broadcaster that the Met was failing to call out bad behaviour by minorities due to the “racism of low expecations.”
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.
Richard Cooke, chair of the West Midlands Police Federation, told GB News that he was “shocked and saddened” to hear of Rick’s suspension.
“He is a great chair, undoubtedly only motivated by truly representing his members and the concerns of ordinary bobbies.
Met Police Federation Chairman Rick Prior was interviewed by GB News
"He’s done a great job so far and I hope this matter can be quickly addressed so he can return to what he does best: giving a voice to our rank and file Met colleagues who desperately need it.”
"The federation said in a statement: “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."
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