logo
Labour risks making it harder to sack rogue police, warns ex-Met chief

Labour risks making it harder to sack rogue police, warns ex-Met chief

Telegraph17-07-2025
Angela Rayner's workers' rights reforms risks making it harder to sack rogue police officers, the former head of the Metropolitan Police has warned.
Lord Hogan-Howe, who was Britain's most senior police officer for six years, said he was concerned that plans to shorten probation periods meant more officers who should be removed would remain in the force.
He told peers: 'The two-year probationary period has always been a good way in which to remove those people who should be dismissed or aren't suited to the role.
'So if we were to scrap that two-year period, one of the measures by which we get rid of the worst officers will be lost. I do worry about that.'
He added: 'Police officers are not employees and it's already quite difficult to remove the ones who should be [removed].'
Under Ms Rayner's Employment Rights Bill, workers will have the right to take their employers to court for unfair dismissal from the first day of a new job. Currently, people must be employed for at least two years before they qualify for these powers. The plans have sparked concerns that businesses could be inundated with tribunal claims.
Lord Hogan-Howe said lawmakers should also 'pay particular attention to' the impact on policing – following a series of high-profile scandals involving rogue officers.
He said: 'Often the officers who turn bad later should have been removed in their probationary period, had everyone had the courage to take that decision.'
The former Met chief told peers on Wednesday that he wanted more clarity from the Government on how the package of reforms would affect the police. Police officers are servants of the Crown rather than employees in the typical sense.
There have been serious concerns about the police vetting process ever since the murder of Sarah Everard by serving Met officer Wayne Couzens in 2021.
An inquiry branded him a 'predatory sex offender and murderer' who should have never been a police officer, with a history of sexual offending dating back to 1995.
In a 347-page report published last year, Dame Elish Angiolini said there had been a 'lamentable and repeated failure' to deal with allegations reported to police before Ms Everard's murder in south London.
In a separate case, former Metropolitan police officer David Carrick was jailed for 30 years in 2023 for raping and assaulting 13 women.
That year, Baroness Louise Casey highlighted examples of racist, homophobic and misogynistic behaviour amongst serving officers in the Metropolitan Police and warned that there might be another Wayne Couzens or David Carrick hiding in the ranks.
Her report said a toxic culture of blame sought to pin responsibility for the widespread and 'institutionalised' misbehaviour on 'bad apples' with a 'strong tendency to look for a positive spin'.
The report documented several failures to properly investigate claims of sexual assault and said racist and other discriminatory behaviour was often 'tolerated, ignored or dismissed as 'banter''.
Earlier this year, police chiefs were handed new powers to sack officers who failed background checks under measures intended to strengthen faith in policing.
A government spokesman said: 'Officers who fall seriously short of the standards expected have no place in our police and we must ensure they can be dismissed as swiftly as possible. That's why we have introduced new rules to strengthen the ability for police chiefs to clear out their forces of officers unfit to serve and the Employments Rights Bill will in no way impact their ability to do this.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Brynmill murder charge as man dies in Swansea
Brynmill murder charge as man dies in Swansea

BBC News

time25 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Brynmill murder charge as man dies in Swansea

A man has been charged with murder following the death of a 65-year-old man in Swansea. Police were called to an alleged assault and an unconscious man outside The Mill pub on Brynymor Road, Brynmill in Swansea at around 20.15 BST on 65-year-old man was taken to Morriston Hospital where he died on Sunday. His next of kin has been informed and are being supported, South Wales Police Vonks, 50, from Swansea, has been charged with murder and is due to appear at Swansea Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Public to be assured in emergency alert drill in September
Public to be assured in emergency alert drill in September

The Independent

time27 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Public to be assured in emergency alert drill in September

A message that will be sent to phones across the country in a national test of the UK's emergency alert system has been published in advance as the Government seeks to ready the public for the drill. Millions of devices will vibrate and make a siren sound for around 10 seconds as they receive the text of fewer than 100 words at around 3pm on September 7. It will assure the public that they 'do not need to take any action' and include a message in both English and Welsh. The Government has been carrying out a public awareness campaign to ensure people know when the test is taking place, including those facing domestic abuse who may have hidden phones. On Monday, the Cabinet Office said the text message will include both English and Welsh and be sent to mobile phones on 4G and 5G networks in the UK. It will read: 'This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. 'You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. 'Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at 'Visit for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg.' Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said: 'Just like the fire alarm in your house, it's important we test this system so that we know it will work if we need it. 'The alerts have the potential to save lives.' Since the first national test of the system in April 2023, five alerts have been sent, including during major storms such as Storm Eowyn in January when lives were at risk. Other activations have took place when an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered in Plymouth, as well as during flash floods in Cumbria and Leicestershire. Some MPs have called on ministers to use different modes of communication for the alert in order to ensure it reaches people who do not have access to a phone. Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Sarah Olney has suggested the Government follows Scandinavian examples where the public have been handed pamphlets about preparing for emergencies.

UK emergency alert to be sent to millions in new test
UK emergency alert to be sent to millions in new test

The Independent

time27 minutes ago

  • The Independent

UK emergency alert to be sent to millions in new test

The UK government has released the text of a national emergency alert, set to be broadcast as part of a crucial system test. Millions of phones will vibrate and emit a siren for around 10 seconds when the message arrives at approximately 3pm on September 7. The alert, under 100 words, will assure recipients they "do not need to take any action" and will be delivered in both English and Welsh. This pre-publication is part of a public awareness campaign by the Cabinet Office, designed to prepare citizens for the drill, including those with hidden phones due to domestic abuse. The message will reach mobile phones on 4G and 5G networks across the UK. On Monday, the Cabinet Office said the text message will include both English and Welsh and be sent to mobile phones on 4G and 5G networks in the UK. It will read: 'This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. 'You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. 'Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at 'Visit for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg.' Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said: 'Just like the fire alarm in your house, it's important we test this system so that we know it will work if we need it. 'The alerts have the potential to save lives.' Since the first national test of the system in April 2023, five alerts have been sent, including during major storms such as Storm Eowyn in January when lives were at risk. Other activations have took place when an unexploded Second World War bomb was discovered in Plymouth, as well as during flash floods in Cumbria and Leicestershire. Some MPs have called on ministers to use different modes of communication for the alert in order to ensure it reaches people who do not have access to a phone. Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Sarah Olney has suggested the Government follows Scandinavian examples where the public have been handed pamphlets about preparing for emergencies.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store