People protesting against racism in London on Saturday. Image: PA People protesting against racism in London on Saturday. Image: PA THE UK POLICING minister has been criticised for a “distinct lack of urgency” after repeatedly saying the UK government must wait for the outcome of a police watchdog report into the strip search of a black schoolgirl.
But he repeatedly said the government must wait for a report into the incident by the Independent Office for Police Conduct which will provide the “full picture”, and told MPs the officers involved “have a right to due process”.Following the “traumatic” search, family members described Child Q as changing from a “happy-go-lucky girl to a timid recluse that hardly speaks”, who now self-harms and needs therapy.
The case has sparked outrage from politicians and the public, with London mayor Sadiq Khan sharing his “dismay and disgust”, and equalities minister Kemi Badenoch calling it an “appalling incident”.Malthouse said strip searching is “one of the most intrusive powers” available to police, and called last week’s safeguarding report “troubling and deeply concerning”.
“The brutal, difficult truth that many of my constituents have raised with me over the weekend is it is not likely to have happened to any of his relatives or our relatives.