Issy Vine, 30, reached a six-figure settlement with the Metropolitan Police after suing the force for constructive dismissal, alleging a male colleague made a series of offensive remarks during a shift and subsequently followed her home. The case also included claims of whistleblowing detriment, harassment based on sex, and failure to make reasonable adjustments.
Ms. Vine formally complained about her colleague's conduct, which led to his dismissal for gross misconduct in November 2023. However, the call handler successfully appealed this decision, and he was reinstated in March 2024. This reinstatement occurred in the wake of Baroness Casey's report, which had labeled the Met as institutionally racist and misogynistic.
Fearing she would have to work alongside the colleague, Ms. Vine resigned in November 2024 and subsequently initiated legal action against the Met. It is understood that the colleague remains employed by the force. Although the case was progressing towards a tribunal, Ms. Vine has now settled for a six-figure payout and an apology.
During a shift, Ms. Vine reported that her colleague made inappropriate comments about Sarah Everard, remarking about "Clapham Common" as "Sarah Everard turf." In another incident, after taking a report from a rape victim who had contracted an STI and become pregnant as a result of the attack, the colleague allegedly said, "She sounds like a slut." He also reportedly made a xenophobic comment to Ms. Vine, stating, "Can I be unkind? I have just had a call from an immigrant," and showed her a written message on his phone that read, "Why don't you f*** off back to your own country?"
Ms. Vine further alleges that the colleague followed her onto a bus and the Tube as she commuted home late at night, despite having informed him he lived in the opposite direction. Following her complaint, Ms. Vine described experiencing significant distress, stating she went to work with "red raw eyes" and "cried [her] eyes out the whole time." She expressed feeling like a "fraud" due to the Met's handling of her report.
The ordeal led Ms. Vine to feel "triggered" by her London-based office and police uniforms, perceiving the situation as a "farce." She disclosed experiencing severe mental health impacts, including a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Hashimoto's autoimmune disease, which began shortly before learning of her colleague's impending return to work. She also felt that her time off sick for health reasons was hindering potential promotions.
Speaking after the settlement, Ms. Vine expressed happiness with the outcome, emphasizing the importance of the apology. She stated that the 18-month legal battle had resulted in the loss of her home, many of her friendships, and exacerbated her health conditions. The personal toll of the case ultimately led her to relocate to Thailand, feeling shunned by colleagues and management.
Ms. Vine has become an advocate for whistleblowers, sharing her experience on social media and establishing the organization Speak Up Now to provide a platform for others to discuss similar experiences. She reportedly sought testimonies from other whistleblowers from public services during her fight for justice.