Former Met officer wins six‑figure settlement after suing over sexist abuse and intimidation

Issy Vine, a thirty‑year‑old former Metropolitan Police officer from Wimbledon, sued the force for constructive dismissal, whistleblowing retaliation and gender‑based harassment after a series of hostile incidents involving a male 999 call handler during a night shift in early 2023. The colleague made demeaning remarks, including calling a rape victim a slut, making a racist comment about an immigrant caller, and referring to Clapham Common as "Sarah Everard turf" in reference to the 2021 murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met officer. Vine reported the behaviour, prompting an internal investigation that led to the colleague's dismissal for gross misconduct in November 2023, but an appeal panel overturned the decision in March 2024, resulting in the officer's reinstatement. Despite the reversal, Vine resigned in November 2024, citing fear for her safety after the man allegedly followed her onto a bus and into the Tube. She described the experience as damaging to her mental health, leading to diagnoses of Hashimoto's autoimmune disease, post‑traumatic stress disorder and chronic anxiety, and she disclosed thoughts of suicide. The legal battle concluded with a confidential settlement that included a six‑figure monetary payment and a formal apology from the offending colleague, with the Met also required to issue a written apology to Vine. Vine said the apology was more valuable than any sum of money. The case attracted public attention following Baroness Casey's report labeling the Metropolitan Police as institutionally racist and misogynistic. After feeling ostracised by former colleagues, Vine moved to Thailand and launched the advocacy group Speak Up Now to support whistleblowers across public services. While the offending officer remains unnamed in public documents, Vine has identified him on social media, alongside the senior officer who facilitated his reinstatement. The settlement is viewed as a rare victory for a whistleblower confronting institutional inertia within one of the United Kingdom's most powerful police organisations.

(Source：Headtopics)