Head of group representing Black officers accuses PSNI of racial discrimination after investigation over social media post
KRW Law is acting on behalf of Andy George – a senior serving PSNI chief inspector and head of the National Black Police Association (NBPA) – who was placed under investigation over a post on social media platform X.
"We have filed an application on his behalf to the Office of the Industrial Tribunal and Fair Employment Tribunal, alleging racial discrimination against the PSNI," the legal firm said in a statement.
Details of the incident emerged in March when Mr George claimed the decision to place him under a misconduct investigation 'sends a chilling message' and 'stifles free speech'.
The post in question followed the case of firearms officer Martyn Blake, who was cleared of murder by a jury after shooting dead an unarmed man, Chris Kaba.
Following the acquittal, the Metropolitan Police promoted Mr Blake from sergeant to inspector despite the police watchdog believing he should face a hearing for alleged gross misconduct.
Mr George compared Mr Blake's treatment with that of Black and Asian officers who he said are more likely to face disciplinary action than their white colleagues.
In November, he reposted a Daily Mail article about the promotion of Mr Blake whose career had stalled until his acquittal.
Mr George added: 'Regardless of your feelings on the case, this will come as a slap in the face to the disproportionate number of Black officers under investigation for misconduct and being held back in their own careers! No doubt an impact on Black Londoners as well.'
Speaking today on the significance of the case, Mr George's legal representative said the 'draconian move' of the PSNI 'sets the wrong tone for the promotion and protection of the interests and rights of the 6,000 strong NBPA membership'.
Senior KRW Law associate solicitor Barry O'Donnell said: 'Andy George has been penalised for displaying tremendous leadership in protecting the rights and interests of minorities within wider policing in the UK.
'The PSNI misconduct action taken against him was unnecessarily punitive.
"We allege it breaches his rights to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the human rights [convention] among other violations.
"This draconian move sets the wrong tone for the promotion and protection of the interests and rights of the 6000 strong NBPA membership.
"We are very pleased to confirm the support of the Good Law Project who are partnered with ourselves in fighting this case.'
News Catch Up - Monday 19 May
Mr George joined the RUC in 1999 and spent his first eight years in a response team before moving to the Armed Response Unit for 10 years.
He attended his first NBPA meeting in July 2016 and was elected onto the cabinet as sponsorship co-coordinator in October 2017 before becoming male vice president in October 2019 and president in October 2020.
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Daily Mail
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Instant karma! Shocking moment Ballymena rioter sets HIMSELF on fire with petrol bomb as police vow more arrests and consider bringing in fresh troops from England and Wales after second night of rioting
This is the shocking moment a protester on the streets of Ballymena was set alight as chaos continued to rip through Northern Ireland for a second night in a row. Footage shows one protestor up in flames as rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers - who condemned the 'racist thuggery' of rioters. Cars and properties were also set on fire after violence erupted in the Northern Irish town on Monday night following a peaceful vigil of 2,500 people that descended into mayhem. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) deployed riot police, fired plastic baton rounds, and used water cannons as well as dog units as they desperately fought to bring the crowds to order. It comes after two 14-year-old boys - who both required a Romanian interpreter in court - were charged with the attempted oral rape of a teenage girl on June 7. A third arrest was made in relation to the sexual assault on Monday night as a 28-year-old man was taken in for questioning and then released. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said other arrests are expected following the examination of video footage and said the PSNI was actively working to identify those responsible for the 'racially motivated disorder. Mr Henderson added there will be a significant policing operation in the town in the coming days to reassure the community. Police officers from England and Wales will be brought to Northern Ireland if needed to help the PSNI, the senior police officer added. In a statement, the PSNI said calm had been restored in the Clonavon Terrace, North Road and Bridge Street areas by around 1am on Wednesday. The force said there had also been 'sporadic disorder' in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, as well incidents in north Belfast. Violent disorder erupted on Monday night around Clonavon Terrace in the town, following an earlier peaceful protest in the day which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. A crowd of 300 yobs hurled petrol bombs at cops, smashed windows and torched cars throughout the Harryville area - the day after the peaceful vigil turned violent. The PSNI confirmed a number of homes and businesses were attacked as the mob rampaged across the town, while disorder also sparked in Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus and north Belfast. As horror spread across Ballymena last night masked thugs threw bottles, wood, rocks, metal bars, wheelie bins, and even a child's bike. In shocking scenes fireworks were aimed at police lines, receiving a large cheer from the crowd of protesters. Litter and debris were seen strewn across the roads and pavements, while smashed glass covered the town's streets. Families in the area told reporters they were fleeing their homes while some residents marked their doors with their nationality in an apparent bid to avoid attack. Vehicles parked on the road were smashed up with hammers, while rioters bust their tyres and tipped them upside down. Officers from the PSNI ran through the town accompanied by police dogs, dodging flying objects and debris from the blazes. Armoured Land Rovers tried to protect homes while police detained individuals and forced hundreds of people away from properties. Officers used a loudspeaker to make a repeat warning to 'disperse as force is about to be used against violent individuals'. Baton rounds - a less lethal alternative to traditional bullets - were fired on protesters, the PSNI later revealed. In a statement early this morning, when the rioting had finally been quelled at 1am, the force said: 'Calm has been restored in Ballymena following serious disorder in the Clonavon Terrace, North Road and Bridge Street areas last night. 'Disorder broke out shortly before 8pm and continued for several hours with masonry and petrol bombs thrown at police officers and police vehicles. A number of homes and businesses were also attacked. A huge fire erupts in the middle of the street surrounded by protesters in Northern Ireland on Tuesday 'During the disorder, authorised officers discharged a number of Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) and the water cannon was also deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds. Calm was restored to the area at around 1am. 'Police also dealt with sporadic disorder in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus with some incidents in north Belfast.' Flames roared dangerously close to residential properties as thick plumes of smoke filled the air. Houses were seen with their windows smashed in and doors vandalised with holes kicked through them. Properties had windows smashed as some residents chose to display signs about the nationalities of those normally resident, including one saying 'British household' and another with 'Filipino lives here'. A water cannon was deployed by PSNI on the crowds, as a huge blaze came from the end of a row of terraced homes and among traffic lights in the town centre. The Northern Ireland Secretary said there is 'no justification' for attacks on police officers or vandalism in Ballymena. In a social media post, Hilary Benn said: 'The terrible scenes of civil disorder we have witnessed in Ballymena again this evening have no place in Northern Ireland. 'There is absolutely no justification for attacks on PSNI officers or for vandalism directed at people's homes or property.' The scenes of violence in Ballymena on Monday saw 15 police injured and four homes set alight. A Romanian mother-of-three who lives in one of the houses attacked during the violence said she has been left too scared to stay in the area. She said her children were asking why their house was being attacked during disturbances in the town on Monday night. Several properties were damaged on Clonavon Terrace, while a number of residents said on Tuesday that they now intend to leave the area. The woman from Romania, who said she was too afraid to give her name, claimed she tried to flee her house after the front window was broken. 'The children were asking me why are we being attacked,' she said. 'I don't want to stay here now, the children are afraid and I am afraid.' A Romanian man said he had lived in the area for 15 years. 'We don't even know why this happened to us,' he said. 'The riots started last night. We didn't expect it to come to our house. 'We tried to get out of the house and go to a safe place. 'I have lived here 15 years. Everything else has been nice, everything has been OK. 'I have so many friends in Ballymena, I have got so much support. 'Everyone was texting and asking us if we are OK, if we are safe, if they can do anything for us.' He added: 'I am lucky because the damage here is not too bad, but my sister has three kids, I have a little girl. 'We are going to live in a friend's house for a while and then try to move out of here.' He said: 'I like to believe I am a Ballymena man now, I have been living here half of my life. 'I understand if people want to protest but it did not have to be like this. 'We should not have to pay the price.' Riot police vans at Clonavon Terrace as people take part in a protest over an alleged sexual assault in the Co Antrim town Police vehicles are seen on fire at Tuesday's out of control protest in Northern Ireland Armed police officers attend the scene in a bid to control day two of the riots in Ballymena Litter and debris can be seen strewn across the roads and pavements while smashed glass covers the town's streets A street is set on fire surrounded by people as Tuesday's demonstration erupts into chaos Troubles flair during the demonstration in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, on Tuesday A water cannon has been deployed by PSNI on the crowds in Ballymena on Tuesday evening A wall of riot police and armoured Land Rovers try to protect homes and force the crowd up the road Police have appealed for calm after serious disorder broke out again on Tuesday evening Huge flames and clouds of smoke come from the end of a row of houses during Tuesday's riots Police vans at Clonavon Terrace as people take part in a protest again on Tuesday evening Disorder has exploded onto the streets again on Tuesday in Northern Ireland Fireworks were allegedly fired at police lines, an action which received a large cheer from the crowd of protesters A water cannon has also been deployed by PSNI on the crowds in Ballymena, as a huge blaze and plumes of smoke came from the end of a row of terraced houses Chaos breaks out again in Ballymena on Tuesday for a second evening in a row PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force had a significant operation in place over the coming days in case there was any repeat of the disturbances on Monday night in the town. He said: 'We are actively working to identify those responsible for last night's racially motivated disorder in Ballymena and bring them to justice. 'Anyone who has information or who can help identify those responsible is asked to contact police on 101.' A 29-year-old man was charged with riotous behaviour after being arrested during disorder in Ballymena on Monday night. The man, who is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 3, has also been charged with disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police. Mr Henderson said other arrests are expected following the examination of video footage. The Prime Minister's official spokesman described the events which saw police and ethnic minorities targeted as 'very concerning'. A spokesman for the PM said: 'The disorder we saw in Ballymena is very concerning. 'Obviously, the reports of sexual assault in the area are extremely distressing, but there is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities. 'PSNI and the justice system must be allowed to carry out their jobs and our thoughts are with the victims of the assault as well as the police officers who were injured.'
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Ballymena riots condemned as ‘racist thuggery' as homes and cars set on fire in second night of violence
Homes and cars have been set on fire during a second night of violence in Ballymena as police condemned the unrest as 'racist thuggery'. Dramatic scenes unfolded overnight in the Northern Ireland town as rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and glass bottles at police officers. Riot police had been deployed around the Clonavon Terrace area on Tuesday night as hundreds of people gathered in the Co Antrim town. PSNI vehicles formed barricades on some roads while riot police wearing armour and carrying shields stood nearby. Police fired less-than-lethal rounds at some of those gathered and also used a water cannon to disperse the crowd. The disorder began on Monday after a peaceful protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. The scenes of violence, which left 15 police injured on Monday, were described as "racist thuggery" by a senior officer. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force had a significant operation in place over the coming days in case there was any repeat of the disturbances on Monday night in the Co Antrim town. He said: "We are actively working to identify those responsible for last night's racially motivated disorder in Ballymena and bring them to justice. "Anyone who has information or who can help identify those responsible is asked to contact police on 101." A 29-year-old man has been charged with riotous behaviour after being arrested during disorder in Ballymena on Monday night. The man, who is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday July 3, has also been charged with disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police. Mr Henderson said other arrests are expected following the examination of video footage. The Prime Minister's official spokesman described the events which saw police and ethnic minorities targeted as "very concerning". In Clonavon Terrace, several houses had their windows smashed and two which suffered significant smoke damage remained sealed off on Tuesday. The violence flared following an earlier peaceful protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the town at the weekend. Two 14-year-old boys appeared in court on Monday charged with attempted rape. The charges were read to the teenagers by a Romanian interpreter. On Tuesday, the PSNI said it had made a third arrest in connection with the incident and reiterated a public appeal for information. Detective Inspector Olphert from the PSNI's public protection branch said: "A 28-year-old man was arrested yesterday evening, Monday June 9. "He has been unconditionally released from police custody following questioning." After the later protest turned violent, police were attacked with petrol bombs and masonry. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the attacks should be "loudly condemned by all right-thinking people". "Any attempt to justify or explain it as something else is misplaced," he said at a press conference at Ballymena police station. He said that members of the minority ethnic community "felt fear" and there will be a significant policing operation in the town in the coming days to reassure the community. "I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday's disorder to reflect long and hard about their actions, they will have consequences," he said. Mr Henderson said that police officers from England and Wales will be brought to Northern Ireland if needed to help the PSNI in the wake of the Ballymena disorder. He said: "Should I need any additionality, I'm absolutely assured that my colleagues in policing in England and Wales, the National Police Operation Centre, stand fast and ready to support should we need that support." The senior officer said police did not have specific intelligence that there would be a repeat of the violent scenes, but said a significant policing operation would be in place. A PSNI spokesperson said: "At around 7.30pm, a planned vigil gathered in the Galgorm Road area before making its way towards Larne Street, onto Wakehurt Road and then down Queen Street. "The vigil was initially peaceful as it made its way towards the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena. "Officers were present at the vigil to ensure an appropriate and proportionate policing response, due to the large number of people who had gathered in the area. "A number of masked individuals then broke away from the vigil and began to build barricades, stockpiling missiles and attacking properties in the Clonavon Terrace area. "Elements of the crowd then turned on to police and attacked officers with petrol bombs and masonry. "This disorder was sustained and continued in the vicinity of Galgorm Street, Linenhall Street and Larne Road Link in the vicinity of the Braid." The statement added: "Police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, fireworks, heavy masonry and bricks thrown in their direction by masked rioters. "Fifteen officers were injured with some requiring hospital treatment. "Two police vehicles were also damaged during the disorder. "A number of homes and businesses were damaged with windows and doors smashed. Four houses were damaged by fire with three people evacuated. "The attacks on these properties are being investigated as racially motivated hate attacks. "Windows were also smashed of several business units in Galgorm Parks in the early hours. "In total, six properties in Clonavon Terrace have sustained damage to windows and doors during the disorder. "During the course of the serious disorder, authorised police officers discharged one attenuating energy projectile (AEP) with one rioter struck." As part of ongoing inquiries, police are also investigating a report of arson at the Tobar Park area of Cullybackey in the early hours of Tuesday. Shortly after 12.20am, it was reported that a petrol bomb had been thrown at a vehicle in the area which set it alight. Damage was caused to a nearby property, with a woman and two children inside. Downing Street said there could be no justification for the violence in Ballymena. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The disorder we saw in Ballymena is very concerning. "Obviously, the reports of sexual assault in the area are extremely distressing, but there is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities. "PSNI and the justice system must be allowed to carry out their jobs and our thoughts are with the victims of the assault as well as the police officers who were injured."
Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Car torched as disorder spreads to other areas of NI on second night of violence in Ballymena
LATEST | Car set alight in north Belfast Sporadic disorder in Newtownabbey, CarrickfergusCalm restored to Ballymena around after 1am after second night of violence Calm was restored to the Ballymena area after 1am last night after a second night of violence erupted. Disorder broke out shortly before 8pm and continued for several hours with masonry and petrol bombs thrown at police officers and police vehicles. A number of homes and businesses were also attacked. During the disorder, a water cannon was deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds, with officers also discharging a number of baton rounds. Police also dealt with sporadic disorder in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus while a car was set alight in north Belfast. Police in Newtownabbey said last night: 'Following a protest at Cloughfern, colleagues are aware of a group of young people who appear intent on engaging in some form of disorder. "So that we can avoid any allegation that we target local young people and attempt to criminalise them, I would ask for some assistance from friends, family or anyone with influence to help us protect these young people by diverting them away from the area and help us dispose of the fireworks to which they have gained access.' Translink suspended bus services in several areas of Belfast due to protests. Services on the Shore Road in north Belfast were at a standstill due to protestors blocking roadways along bus routes. Bus services along the Ravenhill Road between the east and south of the city were also diverted towards the Ormeau Embankment due to demonstrations, while there was disruption to services in the Shankill Road area. Protestors had also blocked roads at Carlisle Circus. It's understood a crowd of around 50 gathered at the area holding placards saying: 'Protect Our Children.' Police will release a further update later this morning. In Ballymena, some residents in Ballymena marked doors to display their nationality while two water cannons were also at the scene of the ongoing 'serious disorder.' At least four armoured vehicles were deployed in the Clonavon area as masked youths attacked officers. Some Filipino workers in the area began putting stickers on their doors that declared their nationality, in an apparent bid to avoid attack. Some people also displayed Union flags, or hung them in windows. Petrol bombs, bricks and bottles were among the missiles thrown at police. A PSNI spokesperson last night said the incident escalated to 'serious disorder'. 'Police are currently dealing with serious disorder in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena this evening,' they said. "Members of the public should avoid the area.' Around 300 protestors gathered in the area, close to where a teenage girl was alleged to have been sexually assaulted at the weekend. A peaceful vigil on Monday to support the girl and her family was followed by serious trouble. Two boys, both 14, were arrested and later charged with the attempted oral rape of the girl on June 7. The charges were read to the teenagers by a Romanian interpreter. Monday evening's violence resulted in 15 police officers suffering injuries with four homes in the area being set alight.
