Our client, Kevin Maxwell, a dedicated former detective of the Metropolitan Police Service SO15 Counter Terrorism Command, who publicly challenged discrimination in the Metropolitan Police, was ‘dismissed’ from the Service yesterday by a Misconduct Tribunal for “discrediting the police service and undermining public confidence in it”. In fact, Kevin, who is also black and gay, already left the Met some time ago. As a result of his experiences, he was forced to leave the job he loved, after over a decade of service, and suffers from a severe and long-term depressive illness that has become a disability.

We did not attend the tribunal as we do not recognise its legitimacy. We continue to represent Kevin in his pursuit of fair treatment, not only for him but for all those in public service who suffer and have suffered discrimination, and appropriate restitution for the harm he has suffered.

Although it will not undo the damage this brought to his life and ambitions, Kevin has been forced to seek reparation against the Met for their past and continuing behaviour towards him, which, we contend, amounts to a continuing campaign of institutionalised victimisation. Kevin hopes his action will reveal the bad practices within the Met and prevent others from having to endure what he has gone through.