A POLICE inspector who gave evidence during an employment tribunal which found a female officer was victimised has been charged with perjury.
Keith Warhurst spoke at the case brought by Rhona Malone, which found evidence of a “boys club” culture in Police Scotland’s firearms unit.
The tribunal concluded in 2021 and criticised the evidence given by Warhurst.
A settlement was reached in which Malone was paid nearly £1 million by Police Scotland.
The BBC reports that the officer has been suspended from the force.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Thursday August 17 2023, a 48-year-old man was charged in connection with a perjury offence.
“A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
The tribunal heard in 2021 that Malone, who was based in Edinburgh, was a committed police constable who had an exemplary record.
It accepted evidence that the culture in parts of armed policing was “horrific” and an “absolute boys’ club”.
When Malone raised concerns about her experiences she was offered a small payout on the condition she signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to stop her speaking out.
She refused and ended up taking the case to a tribunal.
Malone’s solicitor said the findings were a watershed moment for Police Scotland.
Former chief constable Iain Livingstone said an independent force would review the judgment over “legitimate concern” about what had been found.
“Misogyny, sexism and discrimination of any kind are deplorable. They should have no place in society and no place in policing”, he said.
