Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Met chief says he will be ruthless in rooting out racists as fresh scandal emerges

London mayor Sadiq Khan said that he expects more evidence of racism in the force to emerge in the coming weeks.

Met chief says he will be ruthless in rooting out racists as fresh scandal emerges

The Metropolitan police commissioner has promised that he 'will be ruthless in rooting out' racists from the force following the emergence of a WhatsApp group chat scandal involving serving and retired officers, according to reports.

Former Met officer Rob Lewis, who created the group, was suspended this week for posting 'vile and deplorable' racist and derogatory comments. Reports said that members in the group frequently used racist language and shared racist jokes and memes.


“I will be ruthless in rooting out those corrupting officers and staff, including racists and misogynists, from our organisation," Sir Mark Rowley told the BBC.

"The Met has been far too weak in taking on those who undermine the honest and dedicated majority who determinedly serve the public. That will change and I will continue to seek out those, from both within and outside the Met, with that constructive anger who can help us reform."

Following the incident, the Met said that a man in his 60s had been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Communications Act and misconduct in a public office, and remained in custody at a south London police station.

According to the MailOnline, the memes shared on the WhatsApp group include discriminatory jokes about black Londoners, the shooting of a BLM activist, the murder of George Floyd. Plight of domestic violence victims and Shamima Begum joining Scotland Yard as Commissioner in a burka-uniform were also discussed.

Meanwhile, London mayor Sadiq Khan said that he expects more evidence of racism in the force to emerge in the coming weeks.

“There’s going be further probable bad news in the next few week, with Dame Louise Casey publishing her interim report about what she has found. I asked her to look into the standards and culture. And I’m afraid her report may well be sober reading for those who are still in denial about the scale of problem," Khan was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

Khan also used the latest disclosure of the group to justify him sacking former commissioner Cressida Dick. He also praised Sir Mark for admitting that there was indeed an issue.

“In the last 24 hours, a story is broken about another example of a culture of overt racism, sexism, misogyny, and the like. And what Londoners will see is a difference in response from this commissioner, who’s not in denial, or has not been defensive versus the previous one. And it’s one of the reasons why I lost confidence in her," Khan told LBC.

“I think you can address this culture with the right leadership at the top. First you’ve got to recognise there’s a problem, and then take steps to address that.”

Former Met officer Dave Eden, who was a member in the same group since 2016, became the whistleblower in the latest incident as he shared the messages with the BBC. He initially leaked the hate content on a website run by journalist Michael Gillard.

Earlier this year, an official report revealed shocking details of officers sharing messages about hitting and raping women, as well as the deaths of black babies and the Holocaust. But the previous leadership denied the findings.

The new Met chief has launched a new initiative to give smartphones to officers to crack down on misconduct. It will be used to communicate with each other and collect evidence. Earlier, officers used their own phones for these purposes.

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ganpati festival

The Ganpati festival celebrates Ganesha as the god of new beginnings, and the god of wisdom and intelligence. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Hindu community centre in London damaged in fire after Ganapati Visarjan event

A HINDU community centre in east London caught fire on Saturday evening, causing major damage to the building. The London Fire Brigade brought the fire under control and confirmed that no injuries were reported.

The incident took place at the Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road in Ilford, which had been decorated for a Ganapati Visarjan event attended by members of the Hindu community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi ,Xi & Putin

Narendra Modi talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

SCO declaration slams Pahalgam attack, calls for united action on terror

Highlights:

  • SCO condemns terror attack in Pahalgam and echoes India’s stance on “double standards”.
  • Leaders call for justice for perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam and Balochistan.
  • Declaration criticises Israeli military strikes in Gaza causing civilian casualties.
  • SCO stresses UN’s central role in global counter-terrorism strategy.

THE SHANGHAI Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and agreed with India’s position that “double standards” in tackling terrorism are not acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less