Today I joined other London MPs to meet with the new Met Commissioner following Baroness Casey’s extremely concerning interim findings into culture and standards within the Met.

The findings are alarming, but sadly not surprising.  It is clear that for too long a serious cultural problem has developed within the Met which has allowed racist, sexist and homophobic behaviour to be downplayed or left unchallenged.  It is also clear from this interim report that decent officers who have tried to speak out have been let down.

Londoners deserve better.  It is fitting that this report has been published in Black History Month.  At the recent launch of Haringey’s month of black history events I spoke about the terrible shooting of Chris Kaba and the serious questions about police accountability and institutional racism. 

Our communities must have confidence that the Police will be there when they need them and that they have a police service they can trust to keep them safe.  Serving Met officers must have confidence that they will be supported when they report concerns and that police officers found to be responsible for unacceptable behaviour will be rooted out.

Last year I welcomed the Mayor of London’s action in establishing this independent review, and today I welcome the new Commissioner’s assurances that he understands the scale of the challenges the Met faces.  It is essential that the review’s recommendations are implemented in full and without delay and that this is just the beginning of delivering the step changes in culture, standards and performance that we desperately need to see.

I will continue to meet regularly with Haringey’s Borough Commander and follow up with the Met Commissioner and the Mayor of London until we get the change, and the police force, we need.

Catherine West MP
Labour MP for Hornsey & Wood Green