Andy Burnham has lashed out at the legacy of Brexit, saying it “ushered in a decade of low growth” which the UK is still paying for, as he made his first statement as prime minister to the Commons.

In an unexpected attack on the legacy of leaving the EU, he listed the “series of wrong turns” the UK has made since the 1980s and warned Brexit had embedded the problems caused by over-centralisation of government, deindustrialisation and privatisation of industry.

The statement was framed as Mr Burnham laying out his vision for government after he took over from Sir Keir Starmer in a bloodless coup in July. But while he has stated he will stick to Sir Keir’s red lines on Brexit of not rejoining the EU, single market or customs union, his words will provide hope that he may well look to change course by the next election.

In his statement, Mr Burnham also laid out his other key priorities:

The statement marked a significant change of tone from Sir Keir’s two years in office, with Mr Burnham emphasising that he wanted to move away from “point scoring” to working with other parties to fix problems.

He warned: “Britain is not where any of us would wish it to be. Things are not working as they should. Life is too expensive and too hard for too many. This is why this government’s first moves were to give businesses and people a little breathing space.”

Turning to the series of wrong turns that have led to the decline of living standards in the UK, he made a point of blasting Brexit, having said a year ago when he was mayor of Manchester that he favoured rejoining the EU.

He told MPs: “From the 1980s, this country took a series of wrong turns. Political power was centralised, economic power privatised. The country deindustrialised. Austerity followed, hollowing out councils and depriving them of the agency to act to reverse any of this, and then Brexit, compounding the damage, ushering in a decade of low growth and stalled regeneration.”

The comments have been welcomed by pro-EU campaigners just days after The Independent revealed the £11.7bn a year loss in exports Brexit has caused for British business as well as a survey showing 98.2 per cent of businesses want the UK to rejoin the single market.

Already, Mr Burnham is taking action on decentralisation with a new devolution agenda to hand powers to elected mayors, and he also vowed to take things back into public ownership, hinting that water companies could be an early target.

Pro-EU campaigners now hope he will apply the same logic to reversing Brexit.

Naomi Smith, chief executive of Best for Britain, said: “It’s hugely welcome to hear a prime minister stand at the despatch box and say loudly and clearly that Brexit harmed Britain; far from taking back control, it shrank our economy, left us poorer, weaker, less safe and more divided.”

She warned: “If Burnham is serious about delivering a politics done differently – and giving the public what our polling proves they want more of – he must keep all options on the table to single-mindedly pursue the profound economic transformation – some £92bn at the very least – that rejoining the EU would mean for our economy, while persuading progressives who have abandoned the party to trust Labour with their votes.

“That’s how you get good growth in every postcode, and how you deliver hope in every heart.”

But his claims were mocked by Ms Badenoch, who chided the new prime minister for not being available to be scrutinised by MPs for his first 43 days in office.

With Labour MPs chuntering in the background, she said: “The year is 2026. Yet the prime minister said in his statement that everything has gone wrong since the 1980s, still complaining about Margaret Thatcher.

“I may not look it, but I’m 46 years old. He is talking about a woman who became prime minister before I was born. He is living in the past, and he wants to take us back to the 1970s. On this side of the house, we [Conservatives] are for the future not the past.”

The intervention by Mr Burnham identifying Brexit as a “wrong turn” will raise hopes that his pledge last week to stick to Sir Keir’s red lines can be reversed by the time of the next election.

Former prime minister Sir John Major warned in an interview with The Independent that the first priority of any prime minister must be to get the UK back into the EU’s single market as a precursor to fully rejoining the bloc to reverse the economic decline caused by leaving the EU.

Mike Galsworthy, chair of the European Movement UK, told The Independent: “The biggest opportunity for Andy Burnham lies less in how he handles Starmer’s restrictions from the last Labour manifesto and much more in the bigger move he can make with the next manifesto. A promise in the next manifesto to open accession talks for full EU membership is the prize here.”

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Vogue Williams has given birth to her fourth child with her husband Spencer Matthews.

The Irish TV presenter, 40, and the former Made In Chelsea star, 38, announced the birth of their baby boy via her Instagram page on Tuesday evening.

The couple are already parents to two other sons, Theodore, seven, and Otto, four, and they have a daughter Gigi, six.

Vogue announced the news, saying: ‘Our beautiful baby boy has arrived safely… The house is bursting with excitement, love and happiness and we couldn’t be more delighted.’

The family received congratulatory messages from their famous friends, including Holly Willoughby who branded her ‘super mama’ and Zoe Ball. 

The mother of four has not yet revealed the name of their newborn, after revealing she and Spencer had changed their baby boy’s name at the last minute.

Vogue announced the news, saying: ‘Our beautiful baby boy has arrived safely… The house is bursting with excitement, love and happiness and we couldn’t be more delighted’

The Irish TV presenter, 40, and the former Made In Chelsea star, 38, announced the birth of their baby boy via her Instagram page on Tuesday evening

The mother of four has not yet revealed the name of their newborn, after revealing she and Spencer had changed their baby boy’s name at the last minute

The couple had originally planned to call their fourth child Elvis, inspired by the rock and roll legend. 

Ahead of her due date, Vogue revealed they’ve made a U-turn on the moniker and need to decide on a new one.

Speaking on her My Therapist Ghosted Me podcast this week, Vogue said: Do you know what? Big news from my week.

‘We have changed our baby name – we have no name. You know the name was pretty full on and I loved the name.

‘Spenny has been getting a few phone calls from family members regarding the name.

Her co-host and pal Joanne McNally quipped: ‘I just don’t think Gary is that controversial.’

Vogue continued: ‘I honestly thought though because it’s been on my mind I just, I haven’t ever been 100 per cent comfortable with it.

‘But because as much as I love the name it’s such a big name to take on when you’re little or trying to get a job when you’re older.

‘I have got other very cool options, though that was my favourite name,’ before she confirmed: ‘We were going to call the baby Elvis, I love it.’

The couple announced they were expecting baby number four on social media in April, with Vogue sharing some pictures on Instagram with the caption “BABY NUMBER 4 INCOMING….”

Vogue and Spencer tied the knot in 2018.

However, they suffered split rumours after they failed to publicly mark their seventh wedding anniversary – months after Spencer stepped down from their joint podcast, Spencer & Vogue, to focus on his own project, Untapped.

The couple are already parents to two other sons, Theodore, seven, and Otto, four, and they have a daughter Gigi, six 

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The family received congratulatory messages from their famous friends, including Holly Willoughby who branded her ‘super mama’ and Zoe Ball

Spencer cuddled his newborn son against his chest in one sweet snap

The couple are already parents to two other sons, Theodore, seven, and Otto, three and they have one daughter called Gigi, five

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Vogue and Spencer announced they were expecting baby number four on social media in April

But Vogue previously insisted that she and her husband are ‘happy’ and that their marriage is secure, while dispelling past rumours of a potential crisis.

Speaking to The Sun, the presenter said she has reached a point in her life where only ‘their truth’ matters, stressing that they remain very much a happy couple.

She recalled: ‘When he left our podcast, everyone was like, “What’s going on?”‘

Vogue also admitted to worrying about their children hearing the ‘baseless and cruel’ gossip at school.

She had previously addressed the claims in an Instagram post, telling followers: ‘It’s with great sadness that I have to let you know that Spen and I are NOT breaking up!

‘I usually avoid addressing baseless and cruel rumours, but this just keeps coming up.

‘It’s disappointing to see this narrative being pushed almost daily when it’s absolutely not true, and much more importantly, I don’t want my children hearing these lies in the playground.

‘We’re not sure what the angle is or where it’s coming from, but the whole thing feels very strange and mean. We’re very happily married and in love and I hope posting the truth on my own platform might make it stop.’

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Driven in part by his own experience with poverty as a child, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is pitching a financial literacy campaign to leaders of the world’s largest economies and suggesting an investment account program begun under President Donald Trump as a model for it.

As he hosted finance ministers from rich and developing nations in the G20, Bessent on Tuesday announced U.S. sponsorship for a competition called the “Financial Literacy Solutions Sprint.”

The competition is intended to discover and showcase “innovative technology- and data-enabled solutions” developed across the Group of 20 countries to strengthen financial literacy.

Four finalists will be pared to one or two winning teams and will be recognized during the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in October in Bangkok.

Bessent points to the creation of Trump Accounts, a program that provides $1,000 in investment accounts to babies born during Trump’s second term, as a model other nations should follow. Treasury says roughly 7 million children are enrolled and 86% of participants are from families earning less than $200,000 per year.

The secretary often talks about his humble beginnings in rural South Carolina, where he got his first jobs at age 9 as a busboy at a cafeteria and setting up chairs and umbrellas on the beach. His father, a real estate developer, had lost generations of Bessent family wealth by overleveraging his obligations.

One of Bessent’s first moves as Treasury secretary was to launch Financial Literacy Month to teach people the basics of building a workable budget, saving for the future and protecting themselves from scammers and fraudsters.

Critics of his efforts argue that the problem is less about people not knowing how to invest and more about them not having enough spare income to do so.

About 7 in 10 U.S. adults say the country’s economy is “poor,” according to July polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The finding underscores Americans’ continued unhappiness with the cost of living, which is being compounded by high gas prices due to the war in Iran.

Angle RNLI said their crews spent 22 hours at sea over two days in major multi agency search for a teenager who went missing off the coast of Pembrokeshire.

A spokesperson for Angle RNLI said: “Over the last two days the crew at Angle RNLI have spent just over 22 hours afloat as part of a major multi agency search operation at Marloes Sands following reports of a missing 14 year old swimmer.

“At 3.34pm on Sunday the 30th of August Angle All-Weather Lifeboat was tasked to immediate launch following multiple 999 calls to the coastguard reporting three persons were in difficulty in the water at Marloes Sands and although that two had now self-recovered, a 14 year old boy was unaccounted for.

“The lifeboat launched shortly after and made best speed to Marloes.

“Once on scene the crew began conducting an immediate search of the area. With nothing found the crew extended their search further along the coast before stepping out and carrying out a reciprocal search. At this point, the crew were passed their first set of formal search instructions.

“Over the next eight hours the crew worked tirelessly completing multiple search patterns covering likely areas as requested by the coastguard.

“Also in attendance were St David’s and Tenby All-Weather Lifeboats, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Dale, Broad Haven, St David’s and Llansteffan, Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R924 and Coastguard Fixed Wing Aircraft R224, Dyfed Powys Police and their Marine Unit, 3x Milford Haven Port Authority pilot vessels and multiple other leisure and commercial vessels.

“After hours of searching all assets were stood down around midnight, and following a refuel in Milford Marina the crew were back alongside and ready for further service by 2am.

“Just six hours later, at 8:16am on Monday morning the crew were tasked again to continue the search efforts.

“Working alongside Little Haven Inshore Lifeboat, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Dale, Broad Haven, St David’s and Llansteffan, a Coastguard Drone Team, Dyfed Powys Police and their Marine Unit, a Milford Haven Port Authority pilot vessel, Milford Haven Harbour Patrol and multiple leisure and commercial vessels the area was once again thoroughly saturated.

“Having conducted thorough shoreline searches from St Ann’s Head up to Broad Haven North, including Skomer and Skokholm Islands, at 4.15pm the crew returned to the jetty for a crew change and quick welfare break before relaunching.

“By 5pm the lifeboat was back on scene and recommencing searches, this time working in conjunction with the Coastguard Drone Team to conduct a low water search of the shoreline around Marloes Sands and the surrounding area.

“At 7.30pm with nothing found and no new information to go on the search was formally suspended and the crew were stood down with thanks, and the lifeboat was back alongside her berth and ready for further service by 8pm.

“A huge thank you to our crew who have shown immense dedication over the past two days, and a thank you goes to Milford Haven Coastguard for their fantastic coordination and support in what has been a lengthy and tiring incident for our crew.

“Our thoughts are with the swimmers family and friends at this difficult time.”

A pod of killer whales launched a terrifying eight-minute attack on a sailboat off Spain, tearing away half its rudder and forcing the crew to check for leaks.

Dramatic new video shows the orcas circling the vessel before repeatedly slamming into its steering system beneath the water.

Between three and four whales targeted the boat as it returned from a sailing competition near San Vicente.

The crew initially feared the animals may have damaged the hull and allowed water to pour inside.

Crew member Gage Butler, originally from California, said his adrenaline surged as they inspected the vessel in the aftermath.

‘It was so cool to see how smart these animals are and how they play and hunt as a pod,’ he shared in an Instagram post.

‘But at the same time my adrenaline was pumping while we were investigating the boat to see if we had any leaks in the hull.’

Butler said everyone escaped unharmed and the boat suffered no major damage beyond losing approximately half its rudder.

Gage Butler, from California, captured the attack, with footage showing the whales swimming under the boat

Butler and the Seika Racing sailing crew had just completed a regatta and were moving the boat from San Vicente to another marina when the orcas appeared.

Video shared on Instagram shows the animals surfacing beside the vessel while crew members watch from above.

The whales repeatedly swam beneath the stern, where the rudder controls the boat’s direction.

Butler estimated the encounter lasted approximately eight minutes and involved three or four orcas.

Although the animals were powerful enough to break the rudder, Butler believed they may have been young whales treating the vessel like a toy.

‘These Orcas looked smaller than ones I’ve seen at SeaWorld, so I’m pretty sure they were juveniles just playing with the boat, which ended up breaking the rudder,’ he wrote in the Instagram post.

The sailor described the experience as both frightening and extraordinary.

‘Luckily everyone was safe, and there was no major damage to the boat. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.’

Butler said everyone escaped unharmed and the boat suffered no major damage beyond losing approximately half its rudder

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Orcas have repeatedly rammed sailboats passing through waters around the Iberian Peninsula since the unusual behavior was first recorded in 2020.

Most encounters have occurred near the Strait of Gibraltar, the narrow stretch of water separating southern Spain from northern Africa.

The animals commonly approach the stern before biting or striking the rudder, sometimes leaving vessels unable to steer.

Several boats have sunk after being badly damaged during encounters with the whales.

In 2024, a pod rammed and sank a 49-foot yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar, marking at least the fifth reported sinking connected to the behavior at that time.

Despite their name, killer whales rarely pose a direct threat to people in the wild.

No fatal attack by a wild orca on a human has ever been documented, and the whales involved in the Iberian incidents appear focused on boats rather than their occupants.

Scientists remain divided over why the behavior began and why it continues to spread between animals.

One widely reported theory centers on a female orca nicknamed White Gladis, which may previously have been injured in a collision or encounter with a boat.

Under that theory, the whale began targeting vessels following the traumatic experience before other members of the pod copied her actions.

However, researchers have not confirmed that the attacks are motivated by revenge.

Another explanation suggests the interactions are a form of play that developed into a temporary social trend among the highly intelligent animals.

Young orcas may have learned that rudders move, resist pressure and eventually break, encouraging them to return to other vessels.

A 2024 report suggested the behavior could eventually disappear in the same way that other short-lived habits have faded among whale populations.

However, its authors warned that the animals remain difficult to predict.

‘Ultimately, this behavior may disappear, as fads have in other populations, but it may also reappear at some point in the future,’ they wrote.

‘These are intelligent, socially complex, innovative wild animals and science cannot predict their behavior with certainty.’

Olivia Bromley, who played Dawn Fletcher for eight years, was killed off in a shocking car crash episode that aired in Tuesday night’s episode.

Her character, the stepdaughter of Kim Tate, played by Claire King, died following a series of traumatic events on her wedding day to Joe Tate.

Claire King says Emmerdale star’s exit was “heartbreaking”

King said: “It was heartbreaking.

“But we did have a good laugh that week because we were all outside this massive marquee where we were doing all the the wedding stuff and car crash, and it’s all supposed to be tragic but we were all actually having a good life.

“We had some really nice people on on set that day.

“Great crew, and it was just a bit of camaraderie.

“But I could see as the days went on to the final day she was getting more and more sort of angst and things.”

The episode saw Jimmy King’s vehicle crash into the wedding marquee, trapping the newlyweds.

Dawn was rushed to hospital where she went into premature labour and gave birth to a baby boy.

Despite the efforts of hospital staff, she did not survive.

King said the loss was particularly difficult because Bromley was part of her “inner circle” on set.

Olivia Bromley speaks out about Emmerdale exit

In an interview with Digital Spy, Olivia opened up about how emotional it was to film her final scenes as Dawn.

She added how it was the producers’ choice to do the storyline and said how she would have been “too scared” too close the door entirely on the character herself. 

However, Olivia was very happy with her character’s ending and said “it was absolutely perfect” to allow her to go onto other projects. 

Olivia had been in Emmerdale for eight years but now wants to try out a range of new roles including a period drama. 

Emmerdale continues to air weekdays on ITV1 at 8pm with the episodes also being uploaded to the Emmerdale YouTube channel.

Were you upset by Dawn’s death in Emmerdale? Let us know in the comments. 

Vogue Williams gives birth to fourth child with Spencer Matthews – first pics

Vogue Williams has welcomed her fourth child with husband Spencer Matthews, sharing the first photo of their baby boy.

The 40-year-old revealed her fourth pregnancy earlier this year, and also shares Theodore, Gigi and Otto with the Made In Chelsea star, 38.

Taking to Instagram earlier today, she confirmed their new arrival with fans, posting a beautiful string of photos from her hospital bed, including one of her brood meeting their little brother for the first time.

Alongside the upload, she wrote: “Our beautiful baby boy has arrived safely… The house is bursting with excitement, love and happiness and we couldn’t be more delighted.”

Right on cue, fans and famous faces rushed to congratulate the couple on their newborn, with Zoe Ball penning: “Congrats to you gorgeous folks.”

Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley said: “So much love to you and all the family from Me & Al. CONGRATULATIONS.”

Spencer’s Made in Chelsea castmate Rosie Fortescue wrote simply wrote: “Congratulations”, as a fan added: “Congratulations all. Fantastic to welcome a new beautiful soul into the world. Well done Vogue.”

Sunderland have completed the signing of Austria defender Kevin Danso from Tottenham on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The deal will cost the Black Cats £2.5m and will be made permanent next summer – for a fee of £22.5m – if Regis Le Bris’ side stay in the Premier League.

“I’m really happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started,” said Danso.

“Sunderland is a big club with huge ambition, and I’m excited to be part of what we’re building this season.”

The 27-year-old – who made 52 appearances for Spurs after signing from RC Lens in January 2025 – will bolster Sunderland‘s squad ahead of their first European campaign since 1973.

Danso’s exit from Spurs comes as Roberto de Zerbi’s side close in on a move for Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo.

The 2025 Europa League winners had a bid accepted for the former Fulham and Manchester City defender on Monday night.

Adarabioyo, 28, came through the ranks at the Etihad before joining the Cottagers on a permanent deal in 2020.

In 2024, the defender joined Chelsea following the expiry of his contract with Fulham.

Since moving to Stamford Bridge, Adarabioyo has made more than 70 appearances for the Blues across all competitions, winning the Conference League and Club World Cup.

Tottenham are also close to sealing a deal for Chelsea attacker Mykhailo Mudryk before Tuesday night’s deadline.

On Tuesday night’s episode of Emmerdale, viewers learned that Detective Thea Ramsden, played by Chelsea Edge, is the long-lost daughter of Kim Tate.

The revelation came during a flashback scene showing a younger Kim, portrayed by Claire King, in a hospital’s baby unit.

Shocking revelation on Emmerdale

A nurse asked Kim if she was sure about giving up her baby for adoption and whether she had chosen a name.

Kim replied that she had always liked the name “Anthea.”

The camera then cut to the present day, focusing on Ramsden’s police name badge, confirming her true identity.

Ms Edge said: “I have loved joining Emmerdale and keeping this secret.

“I hope that now it’s out in the open the viewers will follow the story and see how Thea’s determination and bitterness develops.

“It’s clear she’s very keen to understand why Kim, who seemingly has everything, status, wealth and power to give her away all those years ago.

“As to how far the apple falls from the tree… I guess we’ll have to wait and see, but there’s certainly a lot more drama to come.”

Kim Tate remains in the dark

Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw said that while viewers now know the truth, Kim remains in the dark.

Ms Shaw said: “While the viewers have been granted access to the mystery surrounding DS Ramsden’s true identity, it will be some time before Kim suspects that the child she surrendered is operating within her immediate circle.

“She is completely unaware that the daughter she left behind is actually right under her nose.”

The storyline adds a new layer to Kim’s character, who is currently trying to stop Joe Tate from giving up Baby Tate for adoption.

Ms Shaw said this plotline brings back painful memories for Kim.

Emmerdale airs at 8 pm weeknights on ITV1 and STV or from 7AM on ITVX and STV Player with the episodes also being uploaded to the official Emmerdale YouTube channel.

Are you shocked by this revelation or did you see it coming? Let us know in the comments. 

The policeman brother of the siblings caught on camera battling officers at Manchester Airport faces the sack for comparing a black female colleague’s braided hair to a mop.

PC Mohammed Abid is one of eight current or former officers based at Bury police station accused of mocking the policewoman’s appearance or how she spoke.

Today a disciplinary panel was told the 29-year-old should be sacked after it ruled that describing her hair as ‘looking like a mop’ had been a ‘racist comment’.

Fellow PCs could also face the sack for regularly ‘mimicking’ the colleague’s African accent, leaving her feeling ‘uncomfortable’.

In July 2024, there was widespread outrage when Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, then 19, was seen being kicked in the face by a police officer in mobile phone footage which went viral.

However, CCTV footage later revealed that he and another brother, Muhammad Amaad, had violently resisted efforts to arrest Amaaz for headbutting of a tourist at Manchester Airport.

After a case which sparked accusations of police racism and claims of two-tier justice, Amaaz was jailed for assaulting two female officers.

But two juries failed to reach verdicts on whether he or Amaad had assaulted a male colleague.

Muhammad Amaad, 26, (left) and his brother Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, (right) arriving for their trial at Liverpool Crown Court either side of their solicitor, Aamer Anwar

Lawyers for the men repeatedly highlighted how neither brother – both from Rochdale – had been in trouble with the police before, and six members of the family are current or former officers with Greater Manchester Police.

Both trials heard a glowing character reference from PC Abid, who praised Amaaz’s ‘respectful, gentle and soft-spoken nature’ and ‘dedication to academic roles’.

But jurors were not told that he faced disciplinary proceedings over the racism allegation.

A misconduct hearing heard last month how constables based at Bury police station imitated a female colleague’s accent.

The policewoman, originally from Africa, has been granted anonymity and is referred to as PC Y.

PC Abid was said to have spoken to PC Y – who at the time wore her hair in braids – and describing it as ‘looking like a mop’ before ‘smiling and walking away’.

Under cross-examination, PC Y told the hearing: ‘He did ask about the hair, the braids, how long it took.

‘He then said “It looks like a mop”, laughed and walked off.’

He denied making the comment but the panel today praised her ‘consistent’ account.

Chairman Jonathan Roy said the braided style was ‘culturally significant’ to PC Y as a black woman, finding that PC Abid had made the ‘racist comment’.

This was a breach of professional standards in relation to equality and diversity which amounted to gross misconduct, it ruled.

PC Abid was also found to have breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct.

Separately, constables on PC Y’s team were accused of ‘mimicking’ her African accent for months until she made a formal complaint in November 2023.

They allegedly copied how she said words like ‘hello’ and impersonated her ‘deep laugh’, causing her to feel ‘uncomfortable’, ‘nervous’ and ‘anxious’.

Giving evidence, the constables insisted they had only copied how she said ‘ok’ and that this was part of a ‘shared joke’ in which they all made fun of one another’s accents.

But the panel rejected their denials, pointing out that officers who weren’t part of the same team had mentioned hearing them putting on African accents.

‘The panel did not accept the mimicking of PC Y’s accent was part of friendly office banter,’ Mr Roy said.

‘It was much more serious than that.’

Five serving officers, PCs Heena Rani, Lucy Granby, Demi Green, Matthew Barlow and Matthew Hill, as well as former PC Jake Holt and a former officer referred to only as A, were all found to have breached standards of professional behaviour in relation to authority, respect and courtesy, discreditable conduct, equality and diversity and failure to report or challenge.

In each case their behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.

A further officer, Sergeant Adrian Bick, who supervised the team, was cleared of breaching standards on equality and diversity

Out of PC Y’s earshot, he had pointed out a photograph of a black fraud suspect and said she could be her mother.

PC Green then repeated the comment to PC Y, the hearing was told.

The panel said the comment was ‘thoughtless and insensitive’ but accepted that Sergeant Bick hadn’t intended to make a racist comment.

It found that he had breached professional standards of authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct and ruled his case amounted to misconduct.

Neither Sergeant Bick nor PC Abid was accused of mocking PC Y’s accent.

Turning to the action the nine will now face, Mr Reed argued that all the serving officers should be sacked, apart from Sergeant Bick, who should receive a written warning. 

He said PC Abid’s behaviour was ‘aggravated’ by his understanding of the ‘cultural significance’ of PC Y’s hairstyle.

While the comment was a ‘single incident’, there was ‘no acceptable level of racism’ in the police, ‘especially when it arises from such calculated behaviour,’ he added.

However PC Abid’s barrister, Peter Byrne, argued that while he had shown ‘poor judgement’ he hadn’t ‘targeted’ PC Y on the grounds of ethnicity.

Along with lawyers representing the serving officers found to have mimicked PC Y’s accent, he submitted that PC Abid should instead receive a final written warning.

The panel is due to reconvene to announce what action the officers and former officers will face on Wednesday.