Marine wants probe into West Yorkshire Police after being accused of ‘threats and blatant lies’
A serving Royal Marine, who won a historic defamation case against West Yorkshire Police over an alleged attempt to have him dismissed from the armed services, has called for the independent police watchdog to investigate the force.
The 25-year-old serviceman, who is black, accepted substantial damages after the force issued an apology at the High Court in June. It was the first time a police force was found to have committed the highest level of defamation.
A police officer had emailed the marine’s superiors accusing him of “threats and blatant lies” and stating that his behaviour was below the standard expected of a member of the armed forces. It called for an internal investigation in the event police were unable to bring criminal charges.
The email, which contained allegations made by the marine’s former partner, was sent before officers had contacted him or formally interviewed his ex-partner. The pair were involved in a custody dispute at the time.
The marine, who cannot be named for legal reasons, spent more than a year on bail before the case was dropped due to lack of evidence.
He wants the Independent Office for Police Conduct to take up the case and for the individuals involved to be held to account.
He told Sky News: “You can imagine receiving an email like this from your employers that has been sent by a police officer, which was effectively stating that I had committed two very serious criminal offences against my former partner. You can imagine the panic, the real emotional and psychological effect that that would have.”
He said the force has questions to answer about the wider investigation. “There are many good police officers out there, and I’m sure that they have got a really tough job. However, when you are in the wrong, you should be dealt with appropriately.”
The sending of the email to senior officers in his unit, he said, was of particular concern.
“It has taken a hell of a lot of hard work and determination and, and a certain mindset to be able to get to where I am in my career and this could have been taken away in the blink of an eye simply from a police officer writing that email,” he said.
Copy of email sent to marine’s employers
The marine wants an investigation into the police force
“I would 100% say that there was a racial element to this as well. I do not believe that if I was the equivalent white person in my position I would have been dealt with in the same way.
“My experience of racism and institutional racism in particular has really been heightened due to what I’ve suffered with the hands of West Yorkshire Police.”
In a statement the force said: “We are aware of the circumstances of the case and have previously been engaged with the complainant. We have no further comment to make on the matter.”
An IOPC spokesperson said: “On receiving and recording a complaint, forces are required to consider whether it meets the mandatory criteria set out in law for a referral to the IOPC. We then carefully assess all referrals to determine whether an investigation may be required and, if so, who should carry this out.”
Martin Lewis says motorists who were mis-sold car finance are likely to receive “hundreds, not thousands of pounds” – with regulators launching a consultation on a new compensation scheme.
The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com believes it is “very likely” that about 40% of Britons who entered personal contact purchase or hire purchase agreements between 2007 and 2021 will be eligible for payouts.
“Discretionary commission arrangements” saw brokers and dealers charge higher levels of interest so they could receive more commission, without telling consumers.
Pics: PA
Speaking to Sky News Radio’s Faye Rowlands, Lewis said: “Very rarely will it be thousands of pounds unless you have more than one car finance deal.
“So up to about a maximum of £950 per car finance deal where you are due compensation.”
Lewis explained that consumers who believe they may have been affected should check whether they had a discretionary commission arrangement by writing to their car finance company.
However, the personal finance guru warned against using a claims firm.
“They’re hardly going to do anything for you and you might get the money paid to you automatically anyway, in which case you’re giving them 30% for nothing,” he added.
Read more: How to tell if you’ve been mis-sold car finance
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Who’s eligible for payout after car finance scandal?
Yesterday, the Financial Conduct Authority said its review of the past use of motor finance “has shown that many firms were not complying with the law or our disclosure rules that were in force when they sold loans to consumers”.
The FCA’s statement added that those affected “should be appropriately compensated in an orderly, consistent and efficient way”.
Lewis told Sky News that the consultation will launch in October – and will take six weeks.
“We expect payouts to come in 2026, assuming this will happen and it’s very likely to happen,” he said.
“As for exactly how will work, it hasn’t decided yet. Firms will have to contact people, although there is an issue about them having destroyed some of the data for older claims.”
He believes claims will either be paid automatically – or affected consumers will need to opt in and apply to get compensation back.
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The FCA estimates the cost of any scheme – including compensation and administrative costs – to be no lower than £9bn.
But in a video on X, Lewis said that millions of people are likely to be due a share of up to £18bn.
The regulator’s announcement comes after the Supreme Court ruled on a separate, but similar, case on Friday.
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