Met Officer denies racial abuse in riots

Pc Alex MacFarlane, wearing glasses and walking on the right. Photo: Delores William

The Metropolitan Police Officer based at Forest Gate Police station, E7, has pleaded not guilty to racially abusing a suspect during last summer’s riots.

Pc Alex MacFarlane, 52, is charged with intending to cause harassment, alarm or distress to his victim as well as using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court in Marylebone this morning, MacFarlane gave his address as Forest Gate Police Station and did not stand in the dock. He elected trial by jury at the Crown Court. He has been granted bail until the 29 June, when he is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court.

The prosecution follows a review of racism complaints by the Metropolitan Police.

The Crown Prosecution Service had orginally decided not to charge him but reversed their decision in April. Mobile phone footage is alleged to have recorded an exchange between MacFarlane and Mauro Demetrio, 21, of Beckton, arrested on suspicion of drug driving during the riots. No further action was taken against Demetrio. It is alleged that the police officer said: “The problem with you is you will always be a n*****, yeah?”.

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