Daryl McLune's memories of that fateful day in 2021 still haunt him – the sound of his mother's cries, the sight of her fighting for life on the floor. What he remembers most, though, is the feeling of being handcuffed and held by police for 23 hours, accused of trying to kill the woman who had given birth to him.
McLune was just 16 at the time, riding his bicycle home from school when he arrived at the scene. The Metropolitan Police officers were already there, but instead of offering support or assistance to a distraught teenager, they treated him as a suspect. According to McLune's lawyers, this was not an isolated incident – it was a symptom of a deeper problem: systemic racism within the Met Police.
As evidence emerged during the civil court case, it became clear that McLune's treatment was just one example of how young black people are disproportionately targeted by police in the UK. The Metropolitan Police have acknowledged the distressing nature of this incident and expressed their commitment to tackling all forms of discrimination – but for McLune and his family, words will not be enough until justice is served.
The jury's verdict was unequivocal: the Met Police acted unlawfully in arresting McLune, breaching his human rights and discriminating against him on the basis of his race. The court found that the police were liable for assault, battery, false imprisonment, and breach of the Equality Act 2010. Now, the judge will determine the level of damages to be paid to McLune – a small measure of compensation, perhaps, but a vital step towards accountability and change.