Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Mayor orders diversity review for Met police

Sadiq Khan has hailed Britain’s biggest police force for reaching 4,000 ethnic minority officers for the first time – but admits “we need to do far better”.

In an interview with Eastern Eye, the mayor of London said he will get legal advice on what the Metropolitan Police can do to become more diverse.


Khan watched 311 new recruits pass their Met training last Friday (9) in Hendon, north London, 79 of whom were from a BME (black and minority ethnic) background.

The former Labour MP admitted having more officers from different backgrounds was a long-running saga but believes progress is being made.

He told Eastern Eye: “It’s good news that we’ve reached an important milestone, more than 4,000 BME officers.

“I accept the police service in London, although we’re far better than other police services around the country, doesn’t look like the city that we police so I’m going to be getting top legal advice to see what more I can do.

“Its not about tokenism, it’s about building trust and respect between the police and Londoners.

“For example we’re already saying to new recruits, in the last six years, you have to live in London for three years. If you have a second language that is important, indirect ways to make it more representative.”

He added: “If we were talking five or 10 years ago we would be having a similar conversation

“We need to do much better. It’s all in our interests, our officers need to communicate effectively with communities and gain local knowledge.”

Out of the Met’s 32,000 officers, 4,033 are from a BME community and around 8,000 are women.

Khan added he was “concerned” after a report last week found that BME Met staff who complained about discrimination said they expected to be victimised and denied promotion by bosses.

The research by the Equality and Human Rights Commission called for the force to change how they handle complaints after it found evidence of poor record keeping of cases and a “general reluctance” to admit mistakes and apologise.

The mayor said: “We need to make sure that nobody who joins the police service feels victimised.

“The findings are welcome, we need to make sure we’re not complacent.

“There was a perception of victimisation from those who raise complaints. That concerns me, nobody should feel mistreated because of their race, gender or sexual orientation.

“I operate a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination of any kind. I will be actively overseeing the Met polices plans to tackle these perceptions.”

The former lawyer believes the Met, led by its commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, has made a lot of progress since it was branded “institutionally racist” by the Macpherson report in 1999. It followed the force’s blunders in its investigation into the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence in London in 1993.

Khan said: “Since Macpherson, there has been huge progress.

“We’re not perfect but I’m proud of the fact we’ve got 4,000 BME officers and more than a quarter of new recruits are BME.”

More For You

crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Corbyn- Zarah Sultana

Zarah Sultana with Jeremy Corbyn during a protest outside Downing Street demanding the UK government to stop all arms sales to Israel. (Photo: X/@zarahsultana)

X/@zarahsultana

Zarah Sultana leaves Labour, plans new party with Corbyn and independents

FORMER Labour MP Zarah Sultana has announced her resignation from the party and plans to launch a new political party alongside ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and other independent MPs and activists.

Sultana, who represents Coventry South, lost the Labour whip last year for supporting the removal of the two-child benefit cap.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hasmukh Shah

The certificate was presented to Shah at the Welsh parliament by Anita Bailey, Home Office Director Windrush Unit.

Hasmukh Shah receives UK minister’s certificate of appreciation

A prominent Asian doctor has been recognised for his services to the community. Prof Hasmukh Shah has received a certificate of appreciation for his contribution and services to the United Kingdom.

The certificate was issued by Seema Malhotra MP, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, as part of the Windrush Cymru Elders and Race Council Cymru’s Windrush work in Wales.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai-Lama-Getty

Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, India, on June 30, 2025.(Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

India says Dalai Lama alone can decide successor

A SENIOR Indian minister has said that only the Dalai Lama and the organisation he has established have the authority to decide his successor as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The comment runs contrary to China’s long-standing position on the matter.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, said on Wednesday that after his death he would be reincarnated as the next spiritual leader, and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would be able to identify his successor. He had earlier said that the next Dalai Lama would be born outside China.

Keep ReadingShow less