Sadiq Khan’s police watchdog accused of political support for Black Lives Matter
Sadiq Khan’s police watchdog has been accused of expressing support for the political campaign group Black Lives Matter (BLM).
Emails sent by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) contained messages supporting the organisation.
In the footer of the email, seen by the Telegraph, is the statement “MOPAC stands against racism. Black. Lives. Matter”.
A police source told The Telegraph: “They put this declaration that they are anti-racist but they also appear to express support for BLM, a political organisation.
“How can MOPAC, who are supposed to be the representative body of the Metropolitan Police, who operate without fear, favour or prejudice, have an explicitly political movement in every email they send out.
“It’s extraordinary.”
BLM was formed in response to the killing of a number of black males by police in the US including Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner.
A wave of protests spread across the US, and then the UK, when George Floyd was murdered in similar circumstances in May 2020 by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer.
A spokesperson for MOPAC said: “The Mayor has declared City Hall a committedly anti-racist organisation.
“The email signatures of MOPAC staff do not endorse any specific organisation but make clear that the Greater London Authority stands united against racism.”
In September, The Telegraph reported findings from a watchdog that suggested police taking the knee or wearing rainbow lanyards could undermine public confidence and lead to accusations of a lack of impartiality.
While a particular badge worn by an officer might demonstrate support for one under-represented community, it can be misinterpreted by other groups, it said.
The report – by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services into activism and impartiality in the police – was commissioned by Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, after she expressed concern that public confidence in policing could be eroded by forces “pandering to politically correct causes”.
The review also found that symbols such as rainbow flags and lanyards – intended to express support for the LGBT community – could spark a backlash among other groups.
It stated: “While one person may see a badge as a sign of support for a particular group or cause, another may see it as a sign that the wearer isn’t impartial ... Officers and staff often use visible representations as a form of communication.
“These representations can take the form of items such as badges, patches on uniforms, lanyards, flags, signage on police vehicles and digital badges on online profiles.
“However, communication using visible representations risks misinterpretation. While one person may see a badge as a sign of support for a particular group or cause, another may see it as a sign that the wearer isn’t impartial.”
The majority of officers who contributed to the report said categorically they would not support their force being involved in events if there was a clear risk of the event being or becoming overtly political.