Six retired officers from the Metropolitan Police Service, who were part of the Diplomatic Protection Group, have been charged with criminal offenses over the exchange of “grossly offensive racist messages” in a WhatsApp group. The messages, sent between 2018 and 2022, targeted individuals including Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Rwandans affected by the UK’s asylum and immigration policy, and victims of flooding in Pakistan.
The charges were brought following an investigation by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, initiated after a BBC “Newsnight” expose. The officers, all in their 60s, had served in various capacities within the force, particularly in the Diplomatic Protection Group, which has since been renamed the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command. The charges are under a section of the 2003 Communications Act. Commander James Harman, leading the Met’s Anti-Corruption and Abuse Command, emphasized the majority of officers’ support for addressing such behavior and its impact on community relations.
This incident is not the first involving racist messages related to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle within the Metropolitan Police. In a separate case in July 2022, two officers from the Forensic Services department were fired for exchanging racist WhatsApp messages, including a derogatory image referencing Meghan’s biracial background. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have previously spoken out about racism they experienced in the UK media and alleged racism within the royal family.
Author: Ryan Scott
Just a guy
