Ten police officers facing disciplinary action over alleged racist and anti-Semitic messages plan to go to the UK’s Supreme Court in a legal battle estimated to have already cost £500,000.
The group lost their initial case, and a subsequent appeal, to try to stop Police Scotland taking action against them over the messages which were shared on WhatsApp.
The messages were described in a previous court judgment as “sexist and degrading, racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic and mocking of disability”.
Backed by the Scottish Police Federation, the officers, probationers currently on restricted duties, intend to appeal to Britain’s highest civil court in a bid to prevent disciplinary action. Police Scotland’s legal fees already stand at £189,000, while the Scottish Police Federation’s bill could be higher.
Calum Steele, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “We continue to support the officers in respect of this issue. We consider there are some fundamental human rights issues at the heart of this case which must be exhausted.”
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “Because of their position, our officers are held to higher standards than ordinary members of the public and this is consistently made clear from the first day of training.
“The Court of Session judgment underlined that these high standards also apply to the virtual space and we would defend any appeal against this decision.”
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