'Common sense has prevailed!' Ex-Police Federation boss suspended for remarks made on GB News celebrates High Court victory

The High Court has ruled the Police Federation unlawfully suspended two police officers for questioning whether the police are "institutionally racist".

Richard Cook and Rick Pryor were punished for comments made on GB News and social media.

Speaking to the People's Channel following his victory, Mr Pryor suggested officers were worried about being labelled racist while patrolling areas of London.

Mr Prior told GB News in October 2024: "There's a striking crisis of confidence at the moment within placing in general and certainly within the Metropolitan place, whereby officers are withdrawing from any kind of proactive policing for fear of falling foul of the IOPC, the Independent Office of Police Conduct or a vexatious or malicious complaint.

"There seems to be an assumption of racism right from the office, particularly when it's a white police officer and a member of the public from a minority ethnic community."

Reacting to the verdict, Mr Prior told GB News: "I'm not sure if I should be fairly nervous, but I haven't got a position to put into jeopardy anymore.

"It all stemmed from that fateful interview back in October 2024 and it's been a long, arduous battle.

"And I think common sense has prevailed. I think the High Court has come to a very reasoned and sound judgment."

Asked by National Reporter Charlie Peters if he has received support from fellow officers following his suspension, Mr Prior revealed: "Yes, I've had lots and lots of support from all of the officers that I was charged to represent, very humbling support.

"The crowd fund was a lot of police officers who were struggling who donated towards that funds, so that I was able to take this to the High Court.

"I'm very grateful to everybody who supported me."

Warning that the move will most likely result in a limit on free speech within the federation, Mr Prior explained: "I think there's a chilling effect that my suspension and ultimate removal from office and Richard Cook's suspension removal from office has had on other chairs.

"And I think that people are going to be very hesitant moving forwards, in terms of expressing honest views in the public domain."

He added: "There was always a red line I had to be very careful of as a federation official, as a senior federation official, I was still a police officer, and we're all bound by what's called the standards of professional behaviour.

"So we have to be very careful not to venture past that line and say anything that could be potentially deemed to be misconduct in the in the police sphere. So I was always very careful about what I said in relation to that."

Mr Prior concluded: "I never thought for a second that my own staff support association, the Police Federation, would come after me. I didn't think it for a second.

"But the following day I was suspended by the now discredited, unelected CEO Mukund Krishna, who I think his position now is untenable."

In a statement, a spokesman for the Police Federation said: "We consider this judgment to be flawed and will appeal.

"This case is about process, not about the substance of the complaints or whether or not we were right to take action.

"We acted following multiple serious complaints about behaviour that was found by an independent panel to fall below the standards set out in our statutory rules.

"We were right to act and it is vital that we continue to stand up for victims and challenge poor behaviour, particularly on matters of race and discrimination.

"We believe the processes that were carried out were fair and reflected the standards expected of Federation representatives.

"PFEW are prepared to take all necessary decisions to protect standards and confidence in policing. Those who expect silence or inaction misunderstand our commitment to positive reform.

"We will remain focused on delivering for our members. This week we will be a strong voice on police reform, make our case on police pay and welfare, and continue the long-term transformation of the Federation on behalf of our members."