Fundraising Fury

In a remarkable twist of fate, a fundraising campaign has garnered an astounding £130,000 in support of two dismissed police officers, Jonathan Clapham and Sam Franks. Their story dates back to a contentious stop-and-search incident in July 2020, involving Team GB athlete Bianca Williams and her partner, Ricardo Dos Santos.

The Controversial Stop-and-Search Incident

Back in July 2020, officers Clapham and Franks conducted a search of Williams and Dos Santos, suspecting them of drug and weapon possession. However, this search yielded no evidence, ultimately resulting in the termination of the officers.

Bianca Williams' Perspective

Bianca Williams, a prominent Team GB athlete, has expressed shock at the fundraising campaign's success, believing that the officers should be held accountable for their dishonesty. She stated, "They shouldn't have lost their jobs; they lied, and there must be consequences."

JustGiving Page Under Scrutiny

The JustGiving page set up to support the officers has received substantial backing. However, it has also faced criticism for removing comments "to respect the impending appeal."

Online Harassment and Racial Dimension

After a disciplinary hearing exposed fabricated claims by officers, Williams and Dos Santos faced online harassment. Dos Santos accused the officers of racial profiling during the hearing, citing being pulled over nine times within four weeks of buying a car in 2018.

A Public Apology

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward publicly apologized, acknowledging the couple's distress and emphasizing the paramount importance of honesty and integrity in policing.