"Speaking to BBC Radio London, he said those circulating rumours of his resignation within the Met were "the misogynists and racists, frankly, who want me out, because it's them who we're taking on". The commissioner agreed that a range of factors that show systemic issues need to be rooted out, but stopped short of calling the issues institutional. He highlighted that the force had improved since he started his role three years ago, but accepted there was still a "cancer to be removed"."
"The commissioner described Panorama's footage, obtained by secret filming, as "vile to watch", calling the officers involved "ghastly, ghastly individuals". In the footage, serving Met Police officers can be seen calling for immigrants to be shot, revelling in the use of force and being dismissive of rape claims. Sir Mark said he understood Londoners would feel "upset and angry" over the "toxic views" expressed."
"However, he said his force has done an "extraordinary amount" to root out such officers since the Casey Review, ordered after the murder of Sarah Everard in 2021 by serving police officer Wayne Couzens. Pressed on whether he should have accepted the review's finding that the Met was institutionally racist and misogynistic, Sir Mark insisted the Met was "part way through the biggest counter-corruption initiative policing has ever seen in this country". Nearly 1,500 men and women had been removed from the Met, he said, adding: "Londoners have my word, we won't stop until it's finished.""
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner will not resign despite filmed evidence revealing misogyny and racism among serving officers. Rumours of his resignation were attributed to those resisting reform. The force acknowledged a range of systemic problems that need rooting out but stopped short of accepting the label of institutional racism or misogyny. Improvements have occurred since the commissioner took office three years ago, yet a "cancer to be removed" remains. Panorama footage showed officers calling for immigrants to be shot, reveling in force use and dismissing rape claims. Nearly 1,500 officers have been removed and a major counter-corruption initiative continues.
Read at www.bbc.com
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