New Home Secretary: Essex Police Federation Statement

ESSEX Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor reacts to the news that Witham MP Priti Patel has become Home Secretary.

Steve (pictured) said: “We welcome the appointment of the new Home Secretary and hope she has more engagement with the National Police Federation than she has chosen to have with us in her local Essex branch.

“It is a matter of record that she blocked our Twitter account some years ago – and refused to engage with us – for having the temerity to point out the folly and consequences of drastic cuts to policing.

“Cuts which her boss the Prime Minister has vowed to reverse today in his first day in office.”

Steve added: “As such we need to be convinced the new Home Secretary shares the positive views stated by the new Prime Minister.

“We hope Priti Patel picks up the more constructive relationship we had with her predecessor Sajid Javid and, rather than accusing us of scaremongering and crying wolf, listens to police professionals and our feedback, as we strive for a better police service for the public we all serve.”

Steve concluded: “We will be getting in touch with the New Home Secretary and look forward to meeting her in Essex at her earliest convenience.”