Edinburgh armed police officer told 'last thing we need is another misogyny case'
A second firearms officer is suing Police Scotland over alleged sex discrimination following a controversial incident that was filmed and posted on TikTok.
Greg Tunnock, 34, gave evidence at the Edinburgh Employment Tribunal on Thursday, June 12, following days of testimony from his colleague Steven Jones.
Both men are embroiled in a legal battle sparked by an incident that took place on March 1, 2024. While on duty patrolling Scottish Parliament, the authorised firearms officers parked their vehicle to take photographs with Scottish singer Tallia Storm. Mr Tunnock was permanently withdrawn from the firearms unit in 2024 and today called the decision a "knee-jerk" reaction from Police Scotland bosses.
Mr Tunnock claimed his actions were branded "misogynistic" and his superiors "only want good publicity".
He added: "I thought it was a good bit of community engagement. In total, I'd guess [the interaction] was a minute from start to finish."
Mr Tunnock filed the suit under a sex discrimination claim, alleging his treatment stemmed from a fear that the firearms unit was perceived as sexist. He believed female officers in the same position would have been treated less harshly. The officer also claimed his superior, Andrew Miller, became "irate" and said "the last thing the firearms unit needs is another misogyny case".
Mr Tunnock told the court a permanent withdrawal from a unit was "extremely rare," adding: "The Police Scotland ethos is not to take purely punitive action. You learn from your mistakes."
The officer spoke to the emotional impact of the ordeal after he was withdrawn from the unit. He said: "I felt absolutely terrible. I felt what happened was unjust. I felt sick physically in the stomach."
Following the incident, Mr Tunnock told the court he was signed off work by his GP for anxiety and depression. He shared: "I felt horrible. I never felt so low in my life. At one point, I was contemplating suicide."
During Mr Tunnock's leave of absence, he claimed a superior showed up at his home to check on him after a period away from his mobile phone. He said: "There was genuine concern I had harmed myself and how bad that would have looked. It was the only reason they checked in on me. They only want good publicity, they don't want bad publicity. 'Former officer found dead in home after knee-jerk reaction' - that's terrible press."
Mr Tunnock also refuted his conduct was misogynistic and said the accusation took him "by surprise". He was particularly "upset" by the claim given that a female family member had been the victim of "controlling behaviour".
He added: "I found it an inappropriate, knee-jerk reaction" and shared "it blows my mind" that he was withdrawn from the unit so soon after the incident without a full investigation being completed.
Responding to former assistant chief constable Gary Ritchie's assertion from June 11 that the incident showed poor judgement and decision-making, Mr Tunnock said: "I find it difficult to compare life threatening decision-making with community engagement."
The officer had hoped the photos with Tallia Storm could be a way for the force to "relate to younger people", a demographic he said Police Scotland struggled to engage with.
The five-day proceedings began on Monday, June 9 and are presided over by Employment Judge Amanda Jones. The tribunal continues.
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