Met Police Chief Sacked Over Race Comments, Claims “Thrown Under the Bus”
The chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, Rick Prior, has been axed by his own union after making explosive remarks about race and policing. His firing has sparked fury, with colleagues accusing union bosses of betraying him.
“Crisis of Confidence” in the Met
Prior, who represented 30,000 rank-and-file officers across London, claimed frontline cops are now hesitant to challenge ethnic minority individuals for fear of being labeled racist. In a heated GB News interview, he warned of a “crisis of confidence” gripping the Met.
“There’s an assumption of racism right from the off,” Prior said, adding that officers fear investigations by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and face malicious complaints.
Suspended since last October, Prior was officially booted on 24 April by a Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) panel. He also faces a lifetime ban from standing for election within the federation.
“Kangaroo Court” and Claims of Injustice
In a fiery statement, Prior slammed the disciplinary process as a “kangaroo court,” saying:
“I dared to speak the truth and would have been treated more fairly in North Korea.”
The PFEW stated:
“Rick Prior has been found in breach of the Federation’s Standards. He has been permanently removed as chair and Federation representative.”
The Federation declined further comment citing internal governance rules.
Political Backing and Legal Fight
Prior’s sacking has prompted political backlash. Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman defended his remarks, saying his worries about frontline officers feeling “disempowered” are spot on.
“We have thousands of brave men and women who serve, but many no longer feel empowered to act,” Braverman said.
Prior’s concerns echo high-profile cases such as PC Perry Lathwood’s overturned conviction after confronting a fare-dodger in croydon/" title="Croydon" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Croydon. Despite his union firing, an internal Met investigation cleared Prior of misconduct.
Backed by the Free Speech Union, Prior has launched a legal challenge against his dismissal, seeking a judicial review. Leaked messages reveal bitter infighting in the Federation, with reps accusing leadership of abandoning their own.
This saga highlights deep divisions over free speech, race, and policing culture in Britain’s biggest force.
Witnesses or Federation members with more information are urged to come forward as the story unfolds.
