Leader of UK's black police association alleges campaign to silence him amid toxic abuse and investigations
Chief Inspector Andy George, 46, has been under fire for his outspoken comments on British policing, sparking a campaign against him that he claims is aimed at silencing him. As the longest-serving president of the National Black Police Association (NBPA), with over 6,000 members, George has been vocal about racism within the police force.
George's concerns were reignited after Home Secretary Suella Braverman described police officers who take the knee as "Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati". The then Met commissioner, Cressida Dick, had previously welcomed the gesture. However, Sir Mark Rowley, her successor, prohibited Met officers from taking the knee.
George claims that his style of championing minority ethnic communities was not a problem but rather he was targeted due to his unwavering commitment to addressing racism and misogyny within the police force. He has been subjected to toxic abuse on social media and faced multiple misconduct investigations by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) over complaints about his comments.
The Met counters that it holds regular meetings with George and values his contributions, but a PSNI spokesperson said that Chief Constable Jon Boutcher had personally supported George's extension as NBPA president. However, in October 2023, Boutcher demanded George return to core duties due to "organisational requirements".
George has now initiated a fair employment case against the PSNI, alleging racial discrimination and claiming that the Met and PSNI are working together to silence him.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan police said: "We value the contribution of the National Black Police Association in supporting black police officers and staff and ensuring their voices help shape equality in policing."
Chief Inspector Andy George, 46, has been under fire for his outspoken comments on British policing, sparking a campaign against him that he claims is aimed at silencing him. As the longest-serving president of the National Black Police Association (NBPA), with over 6,000 members, George has been vocal about racism within the police force.
George's concerns were reignited after Home Secretary Suella Braverman described police officers who take the knee as "Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati". The then Met commissioner, Cressida Dick, had previously welcomed the gesture. However, Sir Mark Rowley, her successor, prohibited Met officers from taking the knee.
George claims that his style of championing minority ethnic communities was not a problem but rather he was targeted due to his unwavering commitment to addressing racism and misogyny within the police force. He has been subjected to toxic abuse on social media and faced multiple misconduct investigations by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) over complaints about his comments.
The Met counters that it holds regular meetings with George and values his contributions, but a PSNI spokesperson said that Chief Constable Jon Boutcher had personally supported George's extension as NBPA president. However, in October 2023, Boutcher demanded George return to core duties due to "organisational requirements".
George has now initiated a fair employment case against the PSNI, alleging racial discrimination and claiming that the Met and PSNI are working together to silence him.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan police said: "We value the contribution of the National Black Police Association in supporting black police officers and staff and ensuring their voices help shape equality in policing."
. Chief Inspector Andy George is just speaking truth to power and now he's being targeted? That's not cool, dude 
. I get it, the Met commissioner might have changed her mind on taking the knee, but that doesn't mean they're trying to silence him. The fact that he's getting toxic abuse online and multiple misconduct investigations is just ridiculous 
. If they really valued his contributions, why are they doing this to him? It seems like a witch hunt, and I'm all for fairness 
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I'm not buying this whole "silencing me" thing. If George is really being targeted, wouldn't his own organisation be supporting him? The fact that PSNI's Chief Constable was backing him before changing his mind seems pretty suspicious 
. And what about all these social media abuse and investigations? Sounds like a case of someone trying to discredit him rather than actually addressing racism in the police force 
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, he's just trying to speak up against racism in the police force but they're trying to shut him down! I mean, who wouldn't want someone with his experience and passion for change? It's not like he's asking for much, just a fair chance to do his job without being harassed or investigated all the time 
. I hope he wins this and can continue to be a voice for minority communities in law enforcement. It's not okay to silence someone just because you disagree with their views, we should be having more open and honest discussions about how to improve policing 
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. And let's be real, if they're really concerned about "silencing" him, that's just more proof of their own hypocrisy 
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. Like, isn't his job to address these issues and keep the community safe? The fact that Sir Mark Rowley prohibited Met officers from taking the knee is wild - it's just another example of how police forces don't want to acknowledge their own problems 
. I'm all for George initiating a fair employment case against the PSNI, though - someone needs to hold them accountable for this 
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. George has over 6k members in the NBPA, what more proof does the Met need that they're not doing enough to tackle racism?
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