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London Police Chief Resigns Over Racism, Other Scandals

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2022

London’s police chief announced her resignation on Thursday after a string of scandals rocked the British capital’s force, including racism, sexism and a serving officer murdering a young woman.

Cressida Dick, who became the first woman to head London’s Metropolitan Police in 2017, said she had “no choice but to step aside” after London mayor Sadiq Khan said he no longer had confidence in her leadership.

“I say this with deep sadness and regret,” the UK’s most senior police officer said in a televised statement, wearing her uniform.

The Scotland Yard chief defended her role and the work of her service, concluding by thanking her fellow officers for the “extraordinary efforts you make each and every day.”

Khan said Thursday he was “not satisfied with the commissioner’s response”, after a meeting last week where he insisted broad changes were needed to “root out the racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying, discrimination and misogyny” in the force.

Dick said she felt “huge sadness”, but it was “clear that the mayor no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership to continue”. She had been set to stay as head of the service until 2024.

Her sudden announcement comes as her police force investigates the “Partygate” scandal swirling around Prime Minister Boris Johnson over alleged parties held in breach of coronavirus restrictions.

Dick said she would stay on for a short while to “ensure the stability of the Met”.

– ‘Damaged confidence’ –
Johnson and the Home Secretary Priti Patel praised her achievements in tweets.

“I thank her for her role protecting the public and making our streets safer,” Johnson said, while Patel said Dick served in “challenging times” and had shown “steadfast dedication to protecting our capital city and its people”.

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The 61-year-old had long faced calls for her resignation after high-profile scandals including the rape and murder of Sarah Everard, who was kidnapped by then-police officer Wayne Couzens in March 2021.

Dick has acknowledged that the case “brought shame” on the force.

Couzens snatched the 33-year-old marketing executive after falsely arresting her for breach of coronavirus restrictions. He has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in jail.

Dick also faced criticism over the police response during a vigil for Everard in a London park, when police scuffled with the predominantly female crowd and physically restrained demonstrators, arresting four people.

Dick referred to “the murder of Sarah Everard” in her resignation statement, saying this and “many other awful cases recently have, I know, damaged confidence in this fantastic police service”.

But the force “has turned its full attention to rebuilding public trust and confidence”, she said, adding she was “very optimistic about the future for the Met and for London”.

Khan said earlier this month he was “utterly disgusted” after an independent watchdog said London police had sent each other “shocking” racist, sexist and homophobic messages.

Dick grew up in Oxford and studied at its university before joining the Met in 1983. She revealed in her first interview as Commissioner that she was in a same-sex relationship with a Scotland Yard inspector.

AFP

Headline

Five-year-old Boy Shot Dead By Hijackers In South Africa

Published

7 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

A 5-year-old boy, Ditebogo Junior, was shot dead after his father’s Toyota Hilux was hijacked outside their home in Soshanguve, in the north of Gauteng, South Africa.

Police spokesperson, Lt-Col Mavela Masondo said that the child had gone out to welcome his father, Ditebogo Phalane, when he arrived home around 10:30pm on Friday, May 10, 2024.

“An unconfirmed number of armed suspects allegedly hijacked the father’s White Toyota bakkie and shot the five-year-old boy who later died in hospital,” Masondo said.

Phalane’s cousin, Gift Makoti took to X to share the heartbreaking news about the boy’s passing.

“My cousin was Hijacked hours ago in Soshanguve block Uu, they took his Bakkie. He was with his son, they shot the 5yr old boy!! He didn’t make it!! What has this country come to now!!!!!???! That’s a CHILD man!!!!!!” he wrote

He posted photos of the young boy, Ditebogo Phalane Jnr, with his father smiling and looking happy. He said that the boy’s father was inconsolable.

“He and his son had a strong bond. His son was always out and about with him, keeping him company. I don’t know how he is going to live without his son,” he said

The tragic incident has left social media users shocked and angry.

Many have made contributions to help erect a tombstone for the boy.

Headline

American Comedian, James Gregory Is Dead

Published

8 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Editor

American comedian, James Gregory, known for calling himself “The Funniest Man in America” has passed on at the age of 78.

Gregory’s family said he died on Thursday, May 9, from cardiac complications.

James took up comedy in the early ’80s when he was 36 after years of working as a salesman, and, he became the first comedian to take the stage at the legendary Punchline club in Atlanta.

While he was known as a Southern comedian, he traveled all across the country performing shows for the next four decades.

His biggest claim to fame came when he dubbed himself “The Funniest Man in America” in the ’80s, and, later he took the URL domain “funniestman.com”, cementing himself in his fans’ minds as the funniest man.

He is survived by his three nieces and other extended family.

Headline

JUST-IN: 34 Dead, 16 Missing In Indonesia Floods

Published

18 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Editor

At least 34 people have died and 16 more were missing after floods on Sumatra island in western Indonesia, the spokesperson for the West Sumatra disaster mitigation agency said Sunday.

“Until now our data shows that 34 people died: 16 in Agam and 18 in Tanah Datar. At least 18 others are injured. We are also still searching for 16 other people,” Ilham Wahab told AFP, referring to two districts in West Sumatra province.

Details later…

AFP