We at FOA are concerned, but not surprised, with the revealed Panorama footage from within the Metropolitan Police.

Recent revelations from within Charing Cross police station revealed a deep-rooted culture of severe racism, Islamophobia and misogyny from officers.

Officers were recorded spreading vile hatred against Muslims. One officer called Islam “a serious problem.”

Another (PC Phil Nelson) said the Islamic “way of life is not the correct way of life." He also said a detainee who had overstayed his visa deserved a ‘bullet through his head.’

This type of culture is rife in all areas of policing, not just at Charing Cross Station. Anyone who has attended pro-Palestine demonstrations over the years can see first hand how the Met Police weaponise their powers against black and brown protestors.

A report from Netpol about the demonstrations drew together eyewitness accounts, arrest figures and testimony from legal observers. It concluded that police responses to Palestine demonstrators were ‘racist’ and ‘threatening.’

Eyewitness accounts describe the police using physical violence against children, young people and even the elderly.

The Met have also questioned prominent pro-Palestine activists and disproportionately used stop-and-search tactics against them.

We at FOA have received first-hand reports of heavy-handed policing at our demonstrations.

This released footage is just one part of the decades-old, institutionalised racism of The Met. Nothing will change until The Met take a serious look at the systems which allow this type of disgusting racism to flourish.