Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Indian-born police officer accused of misconduct after complaint about "racist" toy

An Indian-born police officer who raised concerns about a "racist" toy monkey at work was accused of gross misconduct, according to the BBC.

The officer reported seeing the black toy animal wearing an policeman's shirt at Belgravia police station in central London.


However the detective was investigated for making the story up after senior staff promised to look into the incident.

He was later cleared at a misconduct hearing and received damages from the Met Police after taking legal action.

The details emerged after a separate case at Thames Valley Police in which an officer put a monkey on a black colleague's desk.

A misconduct panel which concluded last month ruled that Detective Seargent Andrew Mottau was not being racist but should have realised the toy animal could be offensive.

The case involving the Met began in September 2013 when the detective constable claimed to have seen a large monkey toy in the office of the Case Progression Unit at Belgravia police station.

He said the stuffed black toy had a police officer's shirt on and a label saying "night-duty ERO" - Evidential Review Officer. One of the EROs at the time was a black police officer.

He raised his concerns that the toy was racist during a live internal website chat known as the "Commissioner's Forum", where staff are encouraged to discuss problems with the Met Commissioner, who at the time was Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe.

The detective received an online reply saying: "What is described - if accurate - is unacceptable" and was told that it would be looked into "immediately".

Just one month later, the detective himself was put under investigation for allegedly posting "untrue and potentially inflammatory comments".

He was told his actions had "breached the standards of professional behaviour... relating to "honesty and integrity" and "discreditable conduct", claims which, if proved, could have led to his dismissal.

Following internal disciplinary proceedings, the officer attended a gross misconduct hearing where it was ruled there was "no case to answer" and he was cleared in June 2015.

Paul Turpin, who was a representative for the Metropolitan Police Federation and supported the officer through the process, said: "I was surprised when the matter was referred to a gross misconduct hearing and was not surprised when that hearing found the officer had no case to answer. Matters should be dealt with at the lowest appropriate level at the earliest possible opportunity."

Scotland Yard said there had been an internal review of the handling of the case after the hearing.

It said the original allegation about the monkey had been "investigated locally and progressed as far as it could be", though the inquiry was unable to establish who had placed the black toy animal in the police station.

The Asian detective, who was not named by the BBC, began legal proceedings against the Met at an employment tribunal alleging he had been racially discriminated against and victimised.

But before a full hearing took place the force reached a settlement and agreed to pay damages. The amount of compensation is thought to be in the region of £35,000.

The Met confirmed a settlement had been reached "following judicial mediation" at the Tribunal Services in March 2016.

More For You

Uganda-high-commission-event

The event also focused on Uganda’s role in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.

Uganda high commission hosts heritage event in London

THE UGANDA high commission in London hosted an event highlighting Uganda’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Building. The event featured a performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir.

Uganda’s high commissioner to the UK, Nimisha J Madhvani, addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and speaking about the country’s cultural diversity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Maha-kumbh-pilgrims-reuters

Devotees arrive at the river bank to take a holy dip at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India on January 28, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

India says 420 million pilgrims have visited Maha Kumbh

INDIA’s government announced on Friday that more than 420 million pilgrims have taken part in ritual bathing at the Maha Kumbh, a Hindu religious festival.

Organisers say the estimate is based on artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras used to track attendance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bird-flu-Getty

There have been 27 confirmed cases of bird flu in England and one in Scotland during the current outbreak. (Representational image: Getty Images)

England bans 'bird gatherings' to contain avian flu spread

THE GOVERNMENT has announced a ban on "bird gatherings" in England as part of efforts to contain the spread of avian influenza.

The ban, which comes into effect from midday on Monday, will apply to fairs, markets, and shows involving various bird species.

Keep ReadingShow less
Matt-Jukes-Getty

Matt Jukes, the UK’s head of counterterrorism, has called for a social media ban for children under 16. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nine-year-old among youngest referred for far-right deradicalisation

A UK charity working to counter far-right radicalisation has seen children as young as nine referred for support.

Exit Hate UK, which helps individuals leave extremist movements, said its youngest-ever referral was nine years old, with the average age of those seeking help being about 15, according to The Times.

Keep ReadingShow less
Streeting hails India’s global role as Labour backs bilateral relations

Wes Streeting addresses the Republic Day reception at the Guildhall in London last Tuesday (28),joined by Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Vikram Doraiswami

Streeting hails India’s global role as Labour backs bilateral relations

WES STREETING spoke of the priority prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour government attach to relations with India when he addressed a Republic Day reception at the Guildhall in London last Tuesday (28).

But the secretary of state for health and social care won over the large Indian crowd by paying an unexpected tribute to Rishi Sunak.

Keep ReadingShow less