London Bridge Attack Hero Officer Fired for Gross Misconduct Over Slurs
A police officer who was among the first responders to the 2017 London Bridge attack has been dismissed for gross misconduct. Detective Constable Mark Luker, a member of the British Transport Police, used derogatory language in WhatsApp messages about the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities.
In one message, he referenced a scene from the Guy Ritchie film 'Snatch', using the term 'dags' to mock the character's accent. In another, he associated theft with the Irish Traveller community through a joke about 'scrap metal, lead roofing, and cable'. The misconduct panel concluded that he likely knew his language was offensive to a minority group and deemed it gross misconduct.
Luker, who used humour as a coping mechanism after the terrorist attack, claimed he didn't intend the word 'p*key' to be offensive. However, the panel found that his messages were deliberate and linked the Irish Traveller community to theft. The use of 'dags' was also deemed derogatory, referencing a scene where a Gypsy character's accent is mocked.
On March 17, 2025, Luker made another disrespectful comment, using the term 'p*key' again. Despite acknowledging that Luker is not inherently racist, the panel determined that, given his experience, he should have known the offensive nature of his language towards a minority group.
The incident raises questions about the use of humour in professional settings and the potential for language to cause harm. It also highlights the importance of sensitivity and awareness in police work, especially when dealing with diverse communities.
