Scottish lawyer had his teeth knocked out in brutal racist attack by cops as a youngster

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Campaign lawyer Aamer Anwar has given shocking details of a racist attack on him by police officers and said he fears an attempt to stamp out prejudice will face obstacles within the force.

As a young man in November 1991 he was badly beaten and had his teeth knocked out by Scottish cops. He later won a legal battle against Strathclyde Police over the attack.

He said: “I was told, ‘That’s what happens to black boys with big mouths. Everyone told me to go on with my life, to let it go, I couldn’t win against the police, but I fought and I won.

“I was thrilled at first, but then nothing changed. I’ve spent much of the last 31 years fighting for people who have been racialized by the police.

Bitter Anwar. (Photo: Victoria Stewart)

He said Constable Sir Iain Livingstone’s admission of institutional racism and discrimination in the force he leads had given him hope.

But he fears the Scottish Police Federation, which represents frontline officers, is blocking progress.

He said: ‘I note the backlash… and fear that the vested interests of some are preventing real progress.

“No one is saying all police officers are racist, but is there an inherent institutional bias against people of color? Of course there are.

Anwar represents the family of Sheku Bayoh, who gave a reserved welcome to Livingstone’s admission.

Kadi Johnson, Sheku’s sister, said: “I welcomed the police chief’s statement. He always treated my family with respect and compassion. He simply said what the black community has known for years.

“The federation has only ever treated us with complete contempt and is still stuck in the dark ages.

“How dare they talk about officer morale when I haven’t once heard them defend officers facing racism or misogyny – or do all officers’ lives don’t matter ?”

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