Kemi Badenoch rages over police legal claims - 'not good for you or the public'

Kemi Badenoch rages over police legal claims - 'not good for you or the public' The Tory leader will on Thursday tell frontline crews that "people in this country are becoming too scared to wade in, too scared to do the right thing" amid a litany of legal battles. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Michael Knowles , Home Affairs and Defence Editor 22:00, Wed, Oct 21, 2026 Kemi Badenoch has vowed to back police officers (Image: Getty) Police officers are being put off confronting dangerous criminals because they fear their names will be dragged through the mud, Kemi Badenoch will declare. The Tory leader will on Thursday tell frontline crews that “people in this country are becoming too scared to wade in, too scared to do the right thing” amid a litany of legal battles. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Mrs Badenoch is expected to point towards the case of Sergeant Martyn Blake, who fatally shot gangster Chris Kaba after he drove at armed officers in an attempt to smash his way out of a roadblock. The senior politician will tell the Police Federation annual conference in London that Sgt Blake’s case “should have been open and shut”. Get the day's biggest headlines in UK and World news and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Speaker erupts as minister makes ‘shameful’ move after major announcement Nigel Farage's Reform UK reports ITV to police over undercover investigation Mrs Badenoch will say: “I know that you make difficult decisions every single day. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT “Sometimes you have seconds to decide, in dangerous situations that most of us will never have to experience. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT “You have to be able to trust that those decisions will be judged fairly. “Sergeant Martyn Blake’s case should have been open and shut. “He should have been straight back to work after a brief investigation. “Instead, his career was put on hold, his name dragged through the mud, and his family put under enormous strain. And he still has an inquest hanging over him. “Why would good officers confront danger, if a lawful decision leaves them facing years of uncertainty? “That is not good for you. And it is not good for the public we all serve.” Kemi Badenoch has vowed to back police officers (Image: Getty) Sgt Blake was cleared of murdering Kaba, a convicted gun criminal, in October 2024. But he faced the sack until this Summer as the police watchdog assessed whether he had committed disciplinary offences. These hearings face a civil test, rather than the criminal burden of proof. Kaba was a core member of the 67 gang, one of London’s most violent and dangerous organised crime groups, which had been linked to a string of shootings in the capital. Just a week before he died, the 24-year-old rapper, who had previously served a prison sentence for gun offences, was caught on CCTV gunning down a rival in a packed nightclub in east London. Prosecutors suggested Sgt Blake had acted out of “fear, anger or frustration”, but the jury accepted his explanation that he had followed his training to the letter and had fired because he genuinely believed the lives of his colleagues were in danger. And Mrs Badenoch will tell the Police Federation: “In recent years we have too often failed to recognise sacrifice and service. “Whether it’s hounding our brave veterans through the courts; or hounding police officers who tried to do the right thing through tribunals; or hounding ordinary members of the public who step in to help only to find themselves in trouble themselves. “It’s no wonder that people in this country are becoming too scared to wade in, too scared to do the right thing. “I am different. “I am not scared to wade in, and I am not scared to back the police. “You are the ones who enforce the law. “You are the ones who ensure there are consequences for bad behaviour.” The Tories want police officers to have a "zero tolerance" approach to crime. And Mrs Badenoch is signalling that the Conservatives , if they win the next election, will back officers amid a litany of legal claims. She will say: “The job of a police officer is to catch criminals and keep our streets safe. “That is what the public expects. “And it is also why people join the police. “I know that in recent years your job has been made harder. “Sergeant Martyn Blake’s job was made harder, because he didn’t get the backing he deserved for using his common sense. “PC Andrew Harper’s colleagues’ jobs were made harder, when they were told his killers were going to be released early from prison. “PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough lost their lives, because violence and thuggery had spiralled out of control in Cleveland, something that might not have happened had there been more police officers in the area. “We have to fix these problems and I have a plan. “Part of it means backing you to do your jobs and stopping the activities that waste your time.” Police Kemi Badenoch Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments