The Hackney Green Party welcomes the judgement on the case, but are deeply concerned that the misconduct panel did not uphold the Director General’s findings of racism and adultification. 

Two Metropolitan Police officers were dismissed for gross misconduct, along with a final warning issued to a third, making a significant step to recognising the serious failing which took place.   

The two officers were involved in the strip search of a black teenager in a Hackney school, who was fifteen at the time, with the panel saying the action was “disproportionate, inappropriate and unnecessary, which was humiliating for the child and made her feel degraded.”

Antoinette Fernandez, Green Party Candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington in 2024 said: “This will hopefully go some way to relieving the anguish and debilitating trauma caused to Child Q and her family, but unlikely to improve the lack of trust the Black community and people of Hackney in general have in the Met police. 

“I believe it is a step in the right direction towards achieving justice but both the teachers and police involved should be prosecuted further.” 

Hackney Green Party says they commend the bravery and strength of Child Q’s family, who refused to be silenced and whose persistence made this outcome possible. 

However they say this outcome must not mark the end of accountability, and support calls for further legal and professional scrutiny of both the officers and school staff involved, adding that no child should experience what Child Q endured. 

The Hackney Green Party remains committed to advocating for directly needed systemic change and anti-racist education locally and nationally.