Statement: Dr Shereen Daniels' report on racism in the Met

Many of you will have seen news that the Met Police has today published an independent report by Dr Shereen Daniels, commissioned to examine how the organisation responds to racism and discrimination.

This report is a powerful intervention. It builds on past reviews such as the Macpherson and Casey Reviews and explains how racism has shaped the Met’s relationship with Black Londoners. It highlights the everyday practices that continue to discriminate against Black people, both in the community and within the Met itself, affecting Black officers and staff.

I know from my own experiences growing up in London, the loss of my family friend Stephen Lawrence, as well as speaking to Black officers, how destructive the cycle of institutional self-preservation is.

While the Met struggles to manage its reputation, communities suffer, and dedicated officers are left let down by the system.

This is why structural change is needed and why leadership is so important. The Met must champion those within its ranks who challenge the status quo and speak out.

The Mayor is right: there must be a serious and enforceable zero-tolerance approach to racism and misconduct. But, as we saw in the recent BBC Panorama documentary on Charing Cross Police Station, real accountability is not just about removing a few “bad apples.”

The deep-rooted patterns of discrimination shown in the report, including the lived reality that Black people are more likely to be viewed with suspicion and to face force, demand a robust response. The Met must ensure organisation-wide culture change and guarantee fairness and safety for everyone in London.

The Met must take this report seriously. It is a chance to learn and deliver the urgent change that Black Londoners need.