Campaigning lawyer Aamer Anwar has given shocking details of a racist attack on him by police officers and said he fears a bid to stamp out prejudice will face barriers within the force.
As a young man in November 1991, he was badly beaten and had his teeth smashed by Scottish cops. He later won a legal battle against the then Strathclyde Police force over the attack.
He said: “I was told, ‘This is what happens to black boys with big mouths.’ Everyone told me to get on with my life, let it go, I couldn’t win against the police, but I fought and won.
“I was elated at first but then nothing changed. I’ve spent an awful lot of the last 31 years fighting for people who have been subjected to racism by the police.”
He said the admission of Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone of institutional racism and discrimination in the force he leads had given him hope.
But he fears that the Scottish Police Federation, which represents frontline officers, could block progress.
He said: “I note the backlash … and fear that the vested interests of some will prevent real progress.
“No one is saying all police officers are racist but is there an inherent, institutional bias against people of colour? Of course there is.”
Anwar represents the family of Sheku Bayoh, who gave a guarded welcome to Livingstone’s admission.
Kadi Johnson, Sheku’s sister, said: “I welcomed the statement by the chief constable. He always treated my family with respect and compassion. He simply said what the black community has known for years.
“The federation have only ever treated us with total contempt and are still stuck in the Dark Ages.
“How dare they talk about the morale of officers when not once have I heard them stand up for officers who face racism or misogyny – or do all officers’ lives not matter?”
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