Lothian and Borders Police in racist and sexist email investigation

A number of police officers and staff are under investigation after emails said to be of a racist and sexist nature were circulated on a force’s internal system.

Lothian and Borders Police said a 51-year-old officer has been suspended as part of inquiries into “inappropriate and offensive” material.

The emails were detected at the force’s G Division, based in Hawick in the Borders.

Deputy Chief Constable Bill Skelly said: “It is of huge disappointment to me, the force and, I am sure, the communities we serve, that emails of a racist and sexist nature were circulated on our system.

“I consider this to be a very serious matter and have instructed that a 51-year-old police officer is suspended and that further inquiries should be carried out.

“Initial work has identified another 20 individuals 16 officers and four police staff who appear to be involved in this issue.

“They have been spoken to and advised that they are subject to misconduct inquiries.”