Belfast firm KRW LAW LLP and barrister Barry Mulqueen BL are representing chief inspector Andy George in his application to the Industrial Tribunal and Fair Employment Tribunal.

The action arises out of a misconduct investigation brought against Mr George following social media posts he made about Met Police officer Martyn Blake.

Mr Blake was promoted by the Met Police after being cleared by a jury of killing a man and is now facing internal disciplinary proceedings.

In the posts, Mr George said black and Asian police officers were disproportionately more likely to face disciplinary actions and be held back in their careers than white officers.

Barry O’Donnell, senior associate solicitor at KRW LAW LLP, said: “Andy George has been penalised for displaying tremendous leadership in protecting the rights and interests of minorities within wider policing in the UK.

“The PSNI misconduct action taken against him was unnecessarily punitive. We allege it breaches his rights to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act among other violations.

“This draconian move sets the wrong tone for the promotion and protection of the interests and rights of the 6,000-strong NBPA membership.

“We are very pleased to confirm the support of the Good Law Project who are partnered with ourselves in fighting this case.”