'I was humiliated,' says ex-officer in discrimination case, as chief constable apologises

The chief constable has apologised to a former PSNI chief inspector for discrimination she suffered in the force.

In 2023, an employment tribunal found that Ch Insp Ursula Merrick was discriminated on grounds of her sex and disability.

Ursula Merrick, who has been medically retired, was subjected to "unwarranted and highly damaging allegations" by her former colleague, Supt Ian Campbell, who is now retired. Speaking on Monday, she said she had been "humiliated" by his behaviour.

On Monday, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: "There is and should be no place for behaviour like this in the PSNI. We are committed to a workplace culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion."

He said: "Unfortunately, our internal processes did not recognise this when Ursula rightly complained. I also recognise the significant personal impact this treatment has had on Ursula, a much-valued member of the RUC/PSNI since 1993, who rose to the rank of Temporary Chief Inspector before her retirement in 2021 following the treatment she suffered.

"The Service Executive Team and I realise the PSNI has lost an experienced and diligent police officer and I have offered to meet Ursula to apologise to her in person."

Merrick welcomed the public apology and said she had "mixed" emotions.

She said that while the apology was "very validating," it was "very late".

"I won the tribunal in 2023, so it beggars belief that it has taken almost three and a half years for the chief constable to finally issue this apology and recognition."

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme, Merrick said it was a very difficult time for her and her family.

"I was absolutely horrified and humiliated that he (Supt Ian Campbell) had done his very best to try to smear me and ruin my professional reputation," she said.

"It never leaves you, the fact that this has gone on for so long and has been hanging over my head."

• Listen: PSNI Chief constable apologises to ex-senior officer for discrimination in the force

In a statement she said: "The Tribunal's judgment used stark language. The treatment I suffered at the hands of Superintendent Ian Campbell was described as 'malicious,' 'scurrilous,' and going 'to the heart of my integrity and professionalism.'

"These are not minor failings. They represent serious corruption and a fundamental breach of the values the PSNI should embody."

She also said she was subjected to "relentless patterns of "unwarranted, misogynistic behaviour" from a senior male officer.

Former Police Ombudsman Baroness Nuala O'Loan said the situation "raises a lot of questions" and said it damages trust in policing.

"I think it raises a lot of questions about how it happened so recently.

"It isn't ancient history what happened to Chief Inspector Merrick," she told BBC Newsline.

"I would hope these words of diversity, inclusiveness and equality are not just words. Because if they are just words then they have no meaning at all."

She added "part of the problem was that the number of women that are serving as police officers has dropped".

"It does enable, where a culture is growing of misogyny, if women aren't present then that can facilitate that."

Rachel Powderly from Edwards Solicitors, who represented Merrick, said the apology was acknowledgement of the "profound impact" it had on Merrick.

"Merrick showed considerable courage and determination in pursuing her claims, and we are pleased that the matter has now been brought to a conclusion," Powderly said in a statement.

"We hope that lessons will be learned from our client's experience and that appropriate measures are put in place to ensure that similar treatment does not happen again."