The head of the Metropolitan Police Federation has been removed from his position after he told GB News about his concerns for policing.
Rick Prior, the elected representative of officers in London, was suspended as chairman in October after he told the People’s Channel that officers were “hesitating” before engaging with ethnic minority Londoners.
The comments were deemed discriminatory in nature and controversial by the federation.
Prior told GB News that fears over “vexatious” investigations by the IOPC meant that police officers had withdrawn from applying the law fairly to all backgrounds.
Rick Prior was suspended after an October 2024 interview GB NEWSIn a statement, the Policing Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) said: “We can confirm that Rick Prior, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, has been found in breach of the Federation’s Standards.
“As a result, Rick has been removed from his position as Chair and as a Federation representative and also prevented from standing for election to any Federation position. Both sanctions are imposed on a permanent basis.”
Prior’s comments about fears of malicious and vexatious complaints followed several high-profile court cases, including an infamous Croydon bus ticket row.
PC Perry Lathwood was convicted of assault after challenging someone who had refused to show her valid ticket in south London. This conviction was overturned on appeal.
The Met’s Professional Standards team assessed the interview and concluded that they did not amount to misconduct, but he remained suspended.
Prior’s now permanent suspension comes after he launched a crowdfunding legal challenge in the courts.
Scotland Yard
PAHe gave an interview to GB News presenter Martin Daubney to raise awareness, he has now been formally dismissed and blocked from ever standing for election.
In a copy of the hearing outcome, seen by GB News, it states that Prior was “commenting to the media about your suspension and the allegations against you,” which is noted as a breach of suspension conditions.
Prior said there was a “high degree of political animus” behind his removal.
Speaking to the People’s Channel, he said: “I had to crowdfund with the Free Speech Union and they’ve gone after me for speaking about my campaign to fight the suspension.
“I’ve had loads and loads of support and I won’t stop.”
Prior vowed to challenge the decision in the High Court.
Rick Prior was suspended following a GB News interview GB NEWSHe added that he would need to crowdfund again as this challenge would be a separate action.
Reflecting on the interview from October, Prior said: “I’d say it all again because that was and still is the main concern among officers that I was elected to represent. Officers felt political pressure to avoid doing their jobs. This was happening all the time.”
He added: “The federation took my voice away and officers have suffered because of that. Everything they have done is antithetical to the interests of the officers who pay their wages.”
The permanent sacking of Prior has sparked political intervention, with Labour MP Jonathan Hinder telling GB News that it raises “big questions” for the Police Federation.
Hinder, a former Met Police inspector, said: “Rick Prior was representing the views of frontline officers, as he was elected to do.
“That he should be silenced and now dismissed for doing his job is shocking.”
He added: “The Police Federation has big questions to answer on this.”
The PFEW said: “In line with our standard policy on governance matters, the Federation will not be commenting on the details of the case.”
