Five ex-cops convicted in UK for racist messages on Rishi Sunak, royals

Five former Metropolitan Police officers have pleaded responsible to sending grossly offensive racist messages on WhatsApp towards British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the late Queen Elizabeth II, amongst others, between 2020 and 2022. All 5 officers retired from the police drive between 2001 and 2015.

According to courtroom studies, the costs towards them had been heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Thursday, when it emerged that the messages concerned jibes towards Indian-origin politicians corresponding to Prime Minister Sunak and former Home Secretary Priti Patel and in addition the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry and his spouse, Meghan Markle.

According to the costs, some messages shared within the WhatsApp chat group additionally referenced different senior royals, corresponding to Prince William and his spouse Kate and politicians, corresponding to Pakistani-origin former well being secretary Sajid Javid.

“The racist and discriminatory content material of those messages is completely appalling and, given the defendants as soon as served as law enforcement officials, we recognise that this case could additional injury confidence in policing,” stated Commander James Harman, who leads the Met Police’s Anti-Corruption and Abuse Command.

“Colleagues across the Met will be disgusted to know that these men once served in the force and will be pleased to see the outcome today [September 7]. I hope this case also demonstrates our commitment to take all allegations of criminality and misconduct seriously, investigate those reports thoroughly and where we have evidence of discrimination and abuse, to bring criminal charges against individuals wherever we can,” he stated.

Scotland Yard stated the officers concerned served in numerous components of the Met Police all through their careers and had all frolicked within the Diplomatic Protection Group, now referred to as the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command. Peter Booth, 66, of Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, pleaded responsible to 4 counts of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages.

He retired from the Met Police in April 2001. Robert Lewis, 62, of Camberley, Surrey, pleaded responsible to eight counts of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages. He retired from the Met Police in May 2015. Anthony Elsom, 67, of Bournemouth, Dorset, pleaded responsible to a few counts of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages.

He retired from the Met Police in May 2012. Alan Hall, 65, of Stowmarket, Suffolk, pleaded responsible to a few counts of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages. He retired from the Met Police in June 2015. Trevor Lewton, 65, of Swansea, has been charged with one rely of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages. He retired from the Met in August 2009.

A sixth former Met Police officer, Michael Chadwell, 62, has pleaded not responsible to at least one rely of sending by public communication grossly offensive racist messages and is predicted to face trial. The sentences within the case can be handed out at a later date.

The prices below Section 127 (1) of the UK’s Communications Act 2003 adopted a BBC investigation in October final yr that prompted a probe by the Met Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards.

Published On:

Sep 10, 2023