JUSTICE SECRETARY SACKED AFTER POLICE UNION BOSS SLATES SNP AT CONFERENCE

One of Police Scotland’s union chiefs delivered a grim warning about the future of policing – at a major event where ousted justice secretary Keith Brown sparked anger by being a no-show.

New Scottish Police Federation boss David Threadgold, pictured above,  issued his damning verdict of the force’s plight just days before Police Scotland marks its 10th anniversary.

Mr Brown, pictured right,  was supposed to be present at the Trump Turnberry gathering but instead sent a “tone deaf” pre-recorded video message ahead of new First Minister Humza Yousaf’s reshuffle – which saw him lose his role.

In a no-holds-barred statement Mr Threadgold called for the introduction of body worn police cameras to be “the top priority”

And he highlighted poor training fears for trainee officers, court delay miseries, falling numbers and warnings over officers tied up at A&E and dealing with mental health cases.

He said: “We are told that currently, we have a £74 million shortfall in the budget.

“The impact of this has been, and is incredibly serious.

“Our fleet is in a poor state with many vehicles not roadworthy and unsafe.

“We have concerns about large numbers of electric vehicles being purchased without the necessary charging facilities.

“Our police offices and stations are in a poor state of repair.  Some police provided accommodation is not fit for human habitation.  Our uniforms are in a poor state and are shabby.”

Mr Threadgold also pointed to the number of veteran cops retiring combined with a falling number of police applicants as he called for a pay rise in line with other public sector workers such as teachers and fire-fighters.

He warned: “Undoubtedly, we are struggling to provide the level of service the public wants and we have to manage their expectations.”

His speech was supposed to be addressed to justice secretary Mr Brown but the politician pulled the plug on his attendance and sent a video instead.

That didn’t go down well with conference delegates who refused to applaud Mr Brown’s contribution.

They were more generous towards Scottish Police Authority chair Martyn Evans who stepped in at the last minute to field some tough questions from the floor with one cop branding Mr Brown “tone deaf”.

Mr Threadgold told the SUN newspaper: “If I had an observation it would be that that opportunity was not taken necessarily and the opportunity to engage the room as Martyn Evans did has been lost.

“I’m not naive to what is going on in Edinburgh at the moment with the government and the announcement of cabinet.

“He has made a decision that his priority is to be in Edinburgh and not here and that’s one I could not influence but it’s potentially an opportunity missed.”

David Kennedy, general secretary of the SPF, later revealed a pay rise demand would be submitted within days.

He said: “Police officers are just concerned about funding and they don’t want it to fall on deaf ears.

“They want to make sure we are going to be treated in the same manner.”