Category Archives: Racism
FREED: THE COP WHO CALLED SUSPECT “A F*UCKING N*GGER”
Pc Alex MacFarlane
A Metropolitan Police constable accused of racially abusing a suspect following last year’s August riots has been discharged after a jury failed to reach a verdict in his trial for a second time.
A mobile phone recording heard Pc Alex MacFarlane, 53, tell 22-year-old Mauro Demetrio: “The problem with you is you’ll always be a n*****.”
He also said: “Be proud of who you are.
“Don’t hide behind your black skin.”
The conversation took place after Mr Demetrio had been arrested on suspicion of drink or drug-driving and was taken to Forest Gate police station, east London, on August 11.
Southwark Crown Court in London heard MacFarlane admit to using the word “n*****” but said it was not intended as a racist insult.
He denied a charge of racially aggravated intentional harassment.
The jury, of five women and seven men, told Judge Gledhill QC they could not agree on a verdict after being told they could return a majority decision.
The retrial was ordered after a jury failed to reach a verdict in the case last week.
Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson told the judge it was “not in the public interest” for a third trial to take place.
“May I therefore offer no evidence against Mr MacFarlane,” he said.
Richard Atchley, defending, said the officer would now face disciplinary proceedings following the case.
The first trial was told Mr Demetrio had become “abusive” to officers after he claimed to have been strangled and pushed up against the window of a police van by another officer following his arrest on suspicion of drink or drug-driving.
He used his mobile phone to record a heated exchange with police, in which an unidentified officer was heard calling Mr Demetrio a “scumbag” and a “c***”, while a second recording included MacFarlane’s alleged racial insult.
The jury was played the recording by Mr Demetrio in which he said: “F****** ugly c*** bro”, before the officer responded with: “The problem with you is you’ll always be a n*****.”
MacFarlane then said: “Be proud, be proud of who you are”, before adding: “Don’t hide behind your black skin.”
Another officer was heard saying “Calm it down,” during the exchange.
MacFarlane claimed the suspect had used the word “n*****” first when he told officers on duty: “Let the white boy go, keep the n*****”, after a white passenger travelling with Mr Demetrio at the time of his arrest was not detained by police.
In his evidence, MacFarlane said he was trying to calm the suspect down and attempting to boost his self-esteem.
He also claimed Mr Demetrio had called officers “white c****” as he was detained in the police van.
MacFarlane, a serving officer with the Met for 18 years, acknowledged during the trial that he should not have used the word “n*****”.
During the first trial, Mr Atchley, defending, said MacFarlane accepted he had used the word n***** in an “error of judgment” but denied it was used in a racist manner.
“He did it, effectively, as a response to Mr Demetrio’s negative self-esteem,” Mr Atchley said.
The married father-of-two said he was “exhausted” at the time of the incident after working 66 hours between August 6 and 11 following the riots which swept London.
It was also alleged by Mr Demetrio that MacFarlane made a sexual reference about the suspect’s mother and that he would be dead in five years, which the officer denied.
Jurors were told the suspect had been held after a police radio check also discovered he was wanted on suspicion of the use, supply or manufacture of drugs and for failing to attend court.
No further action was taken for the drink or drug-driving offence.
MacFarlane was charged in April after a U-turn by prosecutors.
The charging decision hinged on mobile phone footage, allegedly taken by Mr Demetrio, from Beckton, east London.
The CPS announcement came after the police watchdog announced a review of a string of complaints about racism at the Metropolitan Police.
MacFarlane underwent community and diversity training with the Met in 2001, the trial heard.
The training was given to all of the force’s officers in response to the Macpherson report, which followed an inquiry into the Met’s investigation of the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence.
After agreeing that MacFarlane could walk free from court, Judge Gledhill QC said the officer had used the term in a “momentary loss of judgment”.
He said: “This is a sensitive case.
“Two juries have been unable to reach verdicts despite careful consideration of the evidence.
“The case concerned a single word in the context of a sentence.
“It was a word that is completely unacceptable in a civilised society.
“It was said in the heat of the moment in circumstances where the complainant was angry and agitated, not least at what had happened to him at the hands of another officer or officers.
“What is said by the defendant was said immediately after very abusive language was used by the complainant towards him.
“It is clear to me that immediately having used the word which should never have been said, particularly by an experienced officer, he realised what he had said… and tried to undo the damage.”
Mike Franklin, of police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), said: “What is yet to be determined is whether Pc MacFarlane has breached the conduct standards expected of police officers.
“In May the IPCC passed our findings of potential gross misconduct by Pc MacFarlane in relation to racist abuse to the Metropolitan Police Service.
“Whether his behaviour is a breach of professional standards is something a misconduct hearing will decide upon.”
JOHN TERRY ABUSE “VERY HURTFUL”
Footballer Anton Ferdinand told a court today that he found alleged racist abuse by John Terry “very hurtful”.
England and Chelsea defender Terry, 31, is accused of calling Ferdinand a “f****** black c***” during a Premier League match last October.
Today, Queens Park Ranger player Ferdinand told Westminster Magistrates’ Court that initially he did not think any racist terms had been used.
But after the match his girlfriend at the time played him a YouTube clip, and he became convinced that one had.
Ferdinand told the court that if he had realised at the time he would have told officials.
He said: “I would have been obviously very hurt and I probably wouldn’t have reacted at the time because, being a professional, you can’t do that. I probably would have let the officials know what happened and dealt with it after the game.
“When someone brings your colour into it, it takes it to another level and it’s very hurtful.”
Ferdinand said he was no stranger to being sworn at and under cross-examination from George Carter-Stephenson QC agreed he had also sworn at players.
The QPR defender said he was angry at Terry trying to get a penalty and “he barged me in the back for no reason”, he said.
The barrister told Ferdinand he has a tendency to “paint yourself in the best light”.
Asked why he was so angry with Terry appealing for a penalty, Ferdinand, describing himself as a “calm, collected player”, said: “Because I am a winner.”
Ferdinand added that he was angry because Terry had made a hand gesture at him indicating he had bad breath.
Proceedings in Court One have been punctuated by swear words but Ferdinand insisted he did not use those words off the pitch.
The QC asked the witness if by shouting abuse at him he was “trying to get a rise out of Mr Terry and get him to react?”
“Probably, yes,” said Ferdinand.
“There wasn’t long left in the game.”
Ferdinand said he was no stranger to being sworn at and under cross-examination from George Carter-Stephenson QC agreed he had also sworn at players.
The QPR defender said he was angry at Terry trying to get a penalty and “he barged me in the back for no reason”, he said.
The barrister told Ferdinand he has a tendency to “paint yourself in the best light”.
Asked why he was so angry with Terry appealing for a penalty, Ferdinand, describing himself as a “calm, collected player”, said: “Because I am a winner.”
Ferdinand added that he was angry because Terry had made a hand gesture at him indicating he had bad breath.
Proceedings in Court One have been punctuated by swear words but Ferdinand insisted he did not use those words off the pitch.
The QC asked the witness if by shouting abuse at him he was “trying to get a rise out of Mr Terry and get him to react?”
“Probably, yes,” said Ferdinand.
“There wasn’t long left in the game.”
Doreen Lawrence, mother of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence, attended today’s hearing and sat in the public gallery.
Mr Carter-Stephenson suggested that Ferdinand made up the allegation of racism as swearing at him and talking about his alleged affair was not having “the desired effect” of winding Terry up.
Ferdinand denied this.
Mr Carter-Stephenson said: “So you decided to increase the level and accuse him of being a racist.”
“No,” said Mr Ferdinand.
“Words to the effect of ‘calling me a black c***’.”
“No,” said the player.
“And he responded to it, didn’t he?” the barrister continued.
Again, Ferdinand answered “No”, before agreeing that levelling the accusation would be serious.
After the match, which QPR won, Terry called Ferdinand into the away team dressing room to ask if he thought he had called him a black c***.
Mr Carter-Stephenson said the witness went into the dressing room because he felt guilty about alleging Terry racially abused him.
He said: “I suggest you went in there because you felt guilty about what happened on the pitch, about an allegation that was unfounded.”
Ferdinand denied this and added that if he thought he had been racially abused it would have resulted in a fight.
Mr Carter-Stephenson said Cole asked Ferdinand during the discussion: “Did you think JT called you a black c***?
“You know he isn’t like that.”
RACIST MUAMBA STUDENT FREED – BUT WHAT’S NEXT?
A student jailed for making racist comments on Twitter following the collapse of Premier League footballer Fabrice Muamba could face further punishment – this time from his university.
Liam Stacey, 21, was released from prison at the end of last month – after being told he would serve half of a 56 day custodial sentence behind bars.
But while the third-year biology student has got back his liberty, he still remains suspended from Swansea University.
According to reports, he is still yet to face a disciplinary hearing – with a committee having a range of sanctions at its disposal.
They include letting a student off with a warning, imposing a fine or expulsion.
A university spokeswoman told The South Wales Evening Post newspaper: “The disciplinary proceedings haven’t yet taken place, but we will not be saying when they will be taking place as that is a matter between the university and Liam Stacey.”
Mark Leech, founder and former Chief Executive of the national ex-offenders charity UNLOCK questioned what it had to do with the Unversity.
Mr Leech said: “If a 15 year old boy appears in court for shoplifting he doesn’t then face the Headmaster at his school - and nor should he.
“This is none of the University’s business, Stacey represents no threat to other students and he should be allowed to get on with his life – the University should keep its nose out.”
Stacey, originally from Pontypridd, was arrested on March 18 after making a series of racially offensive comments on Twitter the day before.
They had been prompted after the sports-fan posted a message on the social networking site which appeared to mock Bolton midfielder Mr Muamba’s sudden collapse.
The Congolese-born player suffered a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup match with Tottenham Hotspur.
As paramedics were fighting to save his life, Stacey wrote: “F**k, Muamba. He’s dead. Ha ha.”
It resulted in several other site users, including two people believed to be of Afro-Caribbean origin, to message Stacey in return. Some of these posts contained explicit language directed at Stacey.
He then retorted with a string of racist Tweets – prompting complaints to the police.
During his appearance before magistrates in Swansea, Stacey pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence but stressed he was not a racist and that he had been drunk when posting the comments online.
Despite his pleas for leniency, and a subsequent appeal, Stacey went to prison.
A court has also previously heard, as well as being suspended from university, Stacey’s dream of becoming a forensic scientist almost certainly lies in tatters because of his criminal conviction for a racially aggravated offence.
Earlier this week, the UK Government’s Attorney General Dominic Grieve issued a warning to Twitter users about what they posted online.
He said: “The idea that you have immunity because you’re an anonymous tweeter is a big mistake.
“If necessary, we will take action.”
MET POLICE STANCE ON RACISM CRITICISED
The race row embroiling Scotland Yard showed little sign of abating today after a number of high-profile critics spoke out against the force and investigations into 10 cases of alleged racism involving Metropolitan Police officers continued.
A former member of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry panel said blame for routine racism within the Met rested with senior officers and is more endemic than Britain’s biggest force is willing to admit.
Dr Richard Stone’s reported condemnation came after Superintendent Leroy Logan, of the Black Police Association, said warnings of racism at Scotland Yard have fallen on “deaf ears” for more than a decade.
They spoke after 10 complaints of alleged racism – relating to 18 officers and one member of police staff – were referred to the police watchdog.
The referrals came just days after Scotland Yard vowed to get to the bottom of “very damaging” footage of one officer apparently racially abusing a man and another allegedly assaulting a teenage boy last summer.
Referring to the murder of Mr Lawrence in an open letter to Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe seen by the Independent, Dr Stone said: “Here we are 14 years later with the worst kind of blatant and violent racism by police. Even worse is that the officers appear to be doing it openly in front of colleagues from whom they have no fear of being reported.”
He added: “Such a group of constables could not be routinely racist like this without their seniors being aware, and telling them to stop. I fear this may alas be more than ‘just a few bad apples’.”
Supt Logan, a founder member and former chairman of both the London and National Black Police Association (NBPA), said he was “disappointed” by the Met’s apparent failure to take effective action against racism following years of feedback from black communities.
He warned that while race relations had improved since a 1999 report accused the force of institutional racism, there had been a recent deterioration in attitudes.
Citing a need to “root out the bad boy cops”, he said race relations had dropped down the agenda.
But he said the issue had been raised yearly by youths on the NBPA’s community engagement programme.
“Every year since 2001, the young people have been saying how they believe they are being dealt with disrespectfully, not shown enough dignity, casual racist comments were being used,” he said.
“We were telling the Met Police, some two or three commissioners back, this is what is coming up.
“But like so many things, it lands on deaf ears until such a time as a free press – the media – get hold of it and forces people into action.”
Meanwhile, it was reported that a dossier, compiled by former Met commander Brian Paddick in 2004, warned police chiefs that they needed to take tougher action to stop officers discriminating against black people.
The report, obtained by the Guardian, said that innocent African-Caribbean people were being targeted too often under stop and search powers by officers who were wrongly racially stereotyping them as criminals.
It added that if stop and search continued to be used excessively against ethnic minority communities it would lead to “continued and accelerating discontent amongst minority communities and the danger of alienating significant sections of society”.
Scotland Yard said it could not comment on the report due to its age and added: “The Metropolitan police service however has a history of welcoming internal and external discussion papers on stop and search, from academics, research bodies and serving officers, in order to inform the debate on stop and search. In consequence, the MPS is constantly adapting and evolving its stop-and-search policies”
In total, eight officers and one member of staff at the Yard have been suspended.
Pc Alex MacFarlane has been temporarily stripped of his duties after a recording was made of a suspect being called a “n*****”.
The arrested man, named as Mauro Demetrio, 21, from Beckton, east London, was arrested on suspicion of drug driving but no action was later taken. He recorded the abuse on his mobile phone.
It emerged that another officer, reportedly with Pc MacFarlane when Mr Demetrio was abused, was also placed on restricted duties after allegedly being seen kicking a 15-year-old black boy to the ground and kneeing him.
The incident was said to have happened in the custody area of an east London police station, with part of it apparently recorded on CCTV.
The Met is now working with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to investigate the string of allegations which include the bullying of PCSOs by a number of police officers and staff over an 18-month period in Wandsworth; an assault involving five officers from the Territorial Support Group against several youngsters in Hyde Park last year; and racist language by a Pc working in Westminster and by another Pc in Islington.
Met Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey has warned there could be further referrals to the watchdog.
Elsewhere, four police officers have been temporarily stripped of their duties in Northern Ireland following the discovery of racist and sectarian text messages.
In a further damaging episode for the police service, it has emerged a British Transport Police officer faces the sack for gross misconduct after he was convicted of launching a foul-mouthed tirade at an Asian takeaway manager.
Pc Philip Juhasz, 31, hurled abuse at Pakistani Umer Nazir, 23, at the Delice de France snack kiosk at King’s Cross railway station last September.
The shop manager said the off-duty officer had demanded to be sold food that was about to be thrown away for half price.
He told the Daily Mail his refusal to comply with the request was met with a racist outburst.
Juhasz was convicted of a racially aggravated public order offence at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on March 23, police said.
‘RACIST’ MET UNDER MORE PRESSURE
Scotland Yard has come under the spotlight after facing fresh allegations of racism amongst its officers.
It emerged on Thursday that 10 new complaints have been referred to the police watchdog, just days after the force vowed to get to the bottom of “very damaging” footage of one officer apparently racially abusing a man and another allegedly assaulting a teenage boy last summer.
Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey insisted “the Met does not tolerate racism” as he revealed seven allegations had been reported after three officers were suspended over claims of offensive comments to colleagues.
He warned there would be further referrals as he announced he had commissioned a review of complaints relating to alleged racism “to check the progress of ongoing cases”.
A total of five officers have been suspended over the fresh allegations.
The force is working with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to investigate the claims.
Mr Mackey said on Thursday: “Whilst any use of racist language is abhorrent, what is reassuring for me is that in the 10 cases that have been referred to the IPCC, six involve other officers who have stood up and raised concerns, showing that we are an organisation that will not stand for any racist behaviour.
“These officers were not motivated to report their concerns by recent media coverage as this was done before this week.
“I will always want to work in an organisation where someone who believes they’ve seen unacceptable behaviour feels they can challenge it and report it – knowing action will be taken, as it has been in these cases and as it will be whenever it occurs.
“The Met does not tolerate racism.”
MPS RAISE FEARS OVER MET RACISM ROW
Senior MPs have said there must be “zero tolerance” of racism in the police following the disclosure that an officer had been suspended for allegedly racially abusing a suspect during the London riots.
There was shock and anger after it was reported that the officer – named by sources as Pc Alex MacFarlane – told the 21-year-old black man: “The problem with you is you will always be a nigger, yeah?
“That’s your problem, yeah.”
The chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee Keith Vaz said he was “deeply concerned” at the way the case was handled after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) originally decided not to bring charges.
According to The Guardian, the suspect was able to record the remarks on his mobile phone as he was being taken into custody by the Metropolitan Police officer on August 11 last year.
After receiving a file about the incident from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), the CPS initially decided not to charge Mr MacFarlane and two other officers who were allegedly involved.
However last night the CPS said that it would look again at the case following a complaint from the detained man’s lawyer.
Mr Vaz said that it was now essential to establish exactly what had happened.
“I am deeply concerned by these allegations and the way in which they have been handled,” he said.
“We must establish the facts as to what actually occurred on August 11. However what I have heard suggests that lessons of the past have not been learned.
“If we are to have a police force that is trusted by its public, it has to be trusted by all people irrespective of their race. There must be zero tolerance towards the type of behaviour alleged in this case, not just by the perpetrator but also anyone who observes racist behaviour and does not stop it.
“This is not just a matter of potential criminality, this is a matter of standards and ethics.”
Grace Ononiwu, deputy chief crown prosecutor for the CPS London, said: “Lawyers for the complainant have written to the CPS and asked us to review our decision.
“I have considered the matter personally and directed that all of the evidence should be reconsidered and a fresh decision taken by a senior lawyer with no previous involvement in this matter.
“That process will be completed as soon as possible and is the procedure we often adopt when pre-action protocol judicial review proceedings are initiated.”
The Guardian reported that Mr MacFarlane also said to the man, who has not been named: “You’ll always have black skin colour.
“Don’t hide behind your colour, yeah,” adding: “Be proud. Be proud of who you are, yeah. Don’t hide behind your black skin.”
Shortly before the recording ends, the man can be heard saying: “I get this all the time,” and telling the officer: “Make sure you do a lot with your sixty grand, ‘cos you’re not going to get it no more, bruv.”
He then tells the officer: “We’ll definitely speak again about this. It’s gonna go all the way, it’s gonna go all the way – remember.”
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “We can confirm that the Metropolitan Police Service received a complaint alleging a man arrested on August 11 2011 was subjected to discriminatory behaviour (racial remarks); assault and oppressive conduct/or harassment.
“These are serious allegations; any use of racist language or excessive use of force is not acceptable.
“The MPS’s Directorate of Professional Standards referred this case to the IPCC who are independently investigating.
“Following the alleged incident, three officers were the subject of a misconductinvestigation. One of the officers has been suspended in relation to this matter pending the result of the IPCC investigation.
“One of the officers has been placed on restricted duties on an unrelated matter and another remains on full duties.”
COP SUSPENDED FOR ALLEGED RACIST REMARKS
A policeman has been suspended after allegedly calling a man a “nigger” during the London riots.
The officer, who sources named as Pc Alex MacFarlane of the Metropolitan Police, was apparently recorded by the suspect on his mobile phone as he was taken into custody.
The Guardian reported the officer told the 21-year-old black man: “The problem with you is you will always be a nigger, yeah?
“That’s your problem, yeah.”
The Independent Police Complaints Commission investigated and passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after the man passed the recording to other police officers.
The CPS decided not to charge Mr MacFarlane or two other officers but tonight confirmed they would assess the file again after the man’s lawyers complained.
Grace Ononiwu, deputy chief crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) London, said: “Lawyers for the complainant have written to the CPS and asked us to review our decision.
“I have considered the matter personally and directed that all of the evidence should be reconsidered and a fresh decision taken by a senior lawyer with no previous involvement in this matter.
“That process will be completed as soon as possible and is the procedure we often adopt when pre-action protocol judicial review proceedings are initiated.”
The Guardian reported that Mr MacFarlane also said to the man, who has not been named: “You’ll always have black skin colour.
“Don’t hide behind your colour, yeah,” adding: “Be proud. Be proud of who you are, yeah. Don’t hide behind your black skin.”
Another officer accused the man of being “a c*nt” and admitted strangling him.
Shortly before the recording ends, the man can be heard saying: “I get this all the time,” and telling the officer: “Make sure you do a lot with your sixty grand, ‘cos you’re not going to get it no more, bruv.”
He then tells the officer: “We’ll definitely speak again about this. It’s gonna go all the way, it’s gonna go all the way – remember.”
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “We can confirm that the MPS received a complaint alleging a man arrested on August 11 2011 was subjected to discriminatory behaviour (racial remarks); assault and oppressive conduct/or harassment.
“These are serious allegations; any use of racist language or excessive use of force is not acceptable.
“The MPS’s Directorate of Professional Standards referred this case to the IPCC who are independently investigating.
“Following the alleged incident, three officers were the subject of a misconduct investigation. One of the officers has been suspended in relation to this matter pending the result of the IPCC investigation.
“One of the officers has been placed on restricted duties on an unrelated matter and another remains on full duties.”
TEARFUL RACIST STUDENT SENT BACK TO JAIL
After being sent straight back to jail today sobbing and shamefaced, university student Liam Stacey faces the prospect of being thrown off his course.
The 21-year-old was in the final semester of his three-year biology degree when he drunkenly sent his offensive and now infamous Tweets – which mocked footballer Fabrice Muamba’s plight and racially abused two Twitter users.
Despite his apparent horror at his actions and pleas that he had learned his lesson, the rugby fan today saw his appeal thrown out of court.
With the case gaining widespread publicity, his barrister Paul Hobson said Stacey’s future was now in tatters.
A criminal conviction for a racially aggravated public order offence has all but killed the undergraduate’s dream of becoming a forensic scientist.
His incarceration means he will not be able to sit some upcoming exams – and as a result will fail his third year.
But more importantly, next month university officials will hold a disciplinary hearing to decide whether to kick out the suspended Stacey for good.
Swansea University student Jon May, who is the features editor for student newspaper The Waterfront, said there was not a great deal of sympathy for Stacey – despite him once being a popular figure.
“A lot of people have been calling for him to be expelled,” added the 22-year-old business management undergraduate.
“What he said has shocked a lot of people on campus.
“He’s currently suspended at the moment, and a disciplinary hearing is going to take place in April.
“Given what has happened, the whole affair is hardly a good news story for the university.”
Stacey is also said to be inconsolable at the attention his parents have received as a result of his antics – which has reportedly resulted in their home in Pontypridd being pelted with eggs.
Added to that, he has also struggled to cope with life inside prison where a court heard he had “pariah status” among more hardened criminals.
Media law expert David Banks said the legal case served as a stark warning to other Twitter users.
He said: “One of the selling points of social networking sites is how they appear to be very conversational.
“But what you post on Twitter is not the same as what you may say down the pub after a few drinks – and it has been shown the courts take a very dim view of people who post offensive material.
“Unlike an ordinary conversation, what you say on Twitter can be amplified and accessed by so many people.
“It’s been proven around the time of the riots last summer how seriously the courts take people who post abusive or threatening messages via social media – where some were given lengthy prison sentences.
“With regard to Liam Stacey, it may be seen as a harsh sentence, but in doing so it sends a strong message out to the people that if you post a racist message then you will be punished.”
Mark Leech, editor of Converse the national newspaper for prisoners said: “It may seem harsh but I think its exactly right, it might only be a few tweets, a few comments, but what starts with racist comments ends with Stephen Lawrence – racism deserves zero tolerance.”
