Former 999 call handler takes the Metropolitan Police to court after the force reinstated an employee she reported for discriminatory behavior.
Issy vine has accused the Met for breaking its promise to hear whistleblowers, after a damning report from Baroness Louise Casey revealed that it was institutionally racist and misogynistic.
In November 2023, a fellow call-handler was fired for making a series comments that included describing a victim of rape as a “slut”.
Vine made the first comment as he was listening to a woman who claimed she had been raped. The colleague covered his lips and said, “She sounds just like a slut”.
She received a phone call from an illegal immigrant. Her colleague then showed her the screen of his mobile, which displayed the message: “Why don’t go back to your country?”
He also referred to Clapham, London, as “Sarah Everard territory”, in reference to the woman kidnapped by Wayne Couzens, an officer with the Metropolitan Police, who raped, murdered and mutilated her. This occurred in March 2021.
Vine was told by the Met that the original disciplinary committee had been too heavily influenced the Casey Review. He was told that if he appealed, he would only receive a warning because losing his job would be “too harsh”.
Vine told BBC London that she was shocked by her colleague’s “confidence”. She said the Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley had communicated to employees a lot about what the force is doing to combat sexism and racism.
She said, “I could not believe it.” “It didn’t make any sense to me from what the Met said about their investigation and what they were trying to stamp out. What they don’t tolerate anymore.”
Vine filed a grievance at the end of 2024, but resigned from her position in December. She said she could not continue and was worried that she would have to work together with this colleague in the future.
In April, new measures were introduced that allow police chiefs to dismiss automatically officers who do not pass background checks. This is part of a radical revamp of the vetting process and workplace culture.
The Met has faced controversy despite promises to create a “speak up” culture. One officer was dismissed last year for antisemitic remarks and there are claims that bullying led to the suicide of an police officer.
Met Police Commander Jason Prins made the following statement to BBC: “These comments were completely unacceptable. This is why this case was brought before a misconduct hearing.
We have taken the concerns of the former employee about the outcome in the misconduct process very seriously. It has been thoroughly reviewed.
Vine will take the Met to court for constructive dismissal and sexual harassment. She also plans to bring up whistleblowing and failure to make reasonable accommodations. Her hearing is scheduled for January 2026.
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