Greg Tunnock was withdrawn from the firearms unit last year after stopping for a picture with Tallia Storm.
Mr Tunnock alleged that his withdrawal was a “knee-jerk reaction.” (Image: Edinburgh Live)
A second firearms cop is suing Police Scotland over alleged sex discrimination following a controversial incident involving singer Tallia Storm that was filmed and posted on TikTok.
Greg Tunnock, 34, gave evidence at the Edinburgh Employment Tribunal today, Thursday, June 12, following days of testimony from his colleague Steven Jones.
Both officers 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 police car to take photographs with Scottish singer Tallia Storm. Mr Tunnock was permanently withdrawn from the firearms unit soon after and called the decision a “knee-jerk” reaction in court, reports Edinburgh Live.
Mr Tunnock claimed his actions were branded “misogynistic” and said 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 to be sexist. He believed female officers in the same position would not have been treated the same. 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 that 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The cop spoke to the emotional impact of the ordeal after he was withdrawn from the unit.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 added: “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 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 that 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 normally struggle 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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