Complaint over police chair racism 'nonsense' post

Richard Cooke posted on social media it was "nonsense" the force had failed to act on racism

The chairman of West Midlands Police Federation has come under fire for social media posts branding allegations of racism in the force "nonsense".

Former officer Khizra Bano has claimed widespread racism and homophobia exists within West Midlands Police and is taking its chief constable, Craig Guildford, to a tribunal.

Richard Cooke posted on social media it was "nonsense" the force had failed to act on racism. Ms Bano has called for him to stand down.

In response, Mr Cooke said he stood by the posts. The national police federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said it had received multiple complaints and was investigating.

Ms Bano made her allegations, including that racist behaviour was taking place on a "huge scale", on 5 December.

She said incidents raised in forums she arranged for staff included a black colleague being asked to give a "tribal dance", and an Asian colleague being told after a terror attack: "Your mates have been at it again."

Khizra Bano said she had lodged a complaint about Richard Cooke with the Police Federation of England and Wales

Ms Bano is also taking the force's chief constable to an employment tribunal for a string of claims including discrimination, all of which he denies.

She said she learnt of Mr Cooke's posts on Tuesday and immediately lodged a formal complaint against Mr Cooke with the Police Federation of England and Wales.

"The comments were defamatory - he's accused me of lying," she said.

"Not only has West Midlands Federation failed to support me and stand up for minority ethnic, gay or female members, they are actively acting against the effort to bring cultural change.

"He [Mr Cooke] needs reminding that black, brown, female, gay and disabled officers are all federation members too.

"I am livid... He needs to stand down or be removed."

Mr Cooke told BBC News that the federation "categorically rejects" the description that "racist police are on duty every day" within the West Midlands force.

'Conflict with values'

He said it was "irresponsible and misleading" and was "needlessly damaging to public confidence in those we are proud to represent".

In relation to the forums Ms Bano arranged for staff, Mr Cooke said it was vital officers had access to an open dialogue, but the "good faith and trust" that colleagues of all backgrounds placed in them were "severely undermined by these claims and they may now wonder at the motivations behind it".

"In no way do we recognise the description of "widespread racism" or a "gang culture" among our colleagues," he said.

"I stand by my posts on X in response to this which are self-explanatory and have not suggested anyone is a liar."

He said he planned to stand for re-election as chairman in the coming months and had no plans to stand down.

A spokesperson for the national police federation said: "The Police Federation of England & Wales has received multiple complaints on this matter which we are urgently investigating.

"We take these issues extremely seriously, especially when they conflict with our values as an inclusive organisation."