Threats were made to Meghan Markle's life, says former head of UK counter-terrorism

Britain’s most senior police officer of colour has disclosed that police had investigated a number of “disgusting” and credible threats against the Duchess of Sussex.

Former Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu said that as head of counter terrorism, he had had to deal with a number of “disgusting and very real” threats from the “far right” against the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

“If you’d seen the stuff that was written and you were receiving it, the kind of rhetoric that’s online, if you don’t know what I know, you would feel under threat all of the time,” Mr Basu said.

Asked if there had been real threats to Meghan’s life, he replied: “Absolutely. We had teams investigating it. People have been prosecuted for those threats.”

Prince Harry and Meghan through the years - in pictures

Mr Basu also condemned the “horrific” speech being used by senior politicians of Asian heritage in relation to migrants.

Retiring after 30 years in the Met, Mr Basu said he believed his outspoken views had cost him further promotions in the police.

Asked about comments by Home Secretary Suella Braverman – who is of Indian heritage – saying that it was her “dream” to see asylum seekers removed to Rwanda, he drew a comparison to Mr Powell’s “rivers of blood” speech criticising mass immigration into the UK.

“I find some of the commentary coming out of the Home Office inexplicable,” said Mr Basu, whose father was from India.

“It is unbelievable to hear a succession of very powerful politicians who look like this, talking in language that my father would have remembered from 1968. It’s horrific.

“I was born in 1968. The ‘rivers of blood’ speech happened in the constituency next to where my parents lived and made their life hell. A mixed-race couple walking through the streets in the 1960s. Stoned.

“I speak about race because I know something about race, because I’m a 54-year-old mixed race man.”

Migrant children rescued in French waters - in pictures

Migrants are rescued by crew members of the 'Abeille Languedoc' ship after their boat's generator broke down in French waters as they were trying to cross the Channel illegally to Britain. All photos: AFP
Migrants wait for help in the Channel.
A child is rescued by crew members of the 'Abeille Languedoc'.
The 'Abeille Languedoc' is an ocean-going tug specialising in the rescue of vessels in distress.
Migrant children on the rescue boat.
The 'Abeille Languedoc' has been moored in Cherbourg for 26 years, monitoring the Channel between the Cotentin and the Pas-de-Calais.
Migrants sit on board the 'Abeille Languedoc' after being rescued.
A rescuer carries a child as they disembark from the 'Abeille Languedoc'.

Mr Powell’s 1968 address in Birmingham was widely blamed for heightening racial tension at the time.

Mr Basu, who was earlier rumoured to be taking charge of the National Crime Agency, suggested that readiness to speak out on issues of race may have cost him the job.

“I do know that No 10 has previously interfered in me being appointed to positions, and the reason for that I have not been told,” he said.

“I would surmise — and people who know me surmise — that it is because I’ve been outspoken about issues that do not fit with the current political administration.”

But Mr Basu said that politicians were wrong to ignore such matters, as diversity and inclusion were “two of the most important things for policing” and that there should be “zero tolerance” in the service for those who were prejudiced.

He said he was proud to be “woke” and other officers should be as well.

“Are you alert to issues of racial and social justice?" Mr Basu said. "Yes, I am.

"And if that is the definition of woke, I’ll wear it as a bumper sticker every day of the week.

“And by the way, every serving police officer, let alone a chief constable, better believe that too.

"We serve all of the public without fear or favour, regardless of who they look like, not just the people we like.”

Afghan migrant documents dangerous journey across Channel - video

In response to his comments a Home Office spokesman said: “The Home Secretary expects forces to take a zero-tolerance approach to racism within their workplace.

“But the Home Secretary is also very clear about the need to manage our borders effectively and have an asylum system that works for those in genuine need, as are the British people.

“We are actively pushing for a cultural change in the police, including via a targeted review of police dismissals to ensure officers who are not fit to serve can be swiftly removed.”

Threats were made to Meghan Markle's life, says former head of UK counter-terrorism

Former Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Neil Basu said people had been prosecuted

Prince Harry and Meghan through the years - in pictures

Migrant children rescued in French waters - in pictures

Afghan migrant documents dangerous journey across Channel - video