POLICE Scotland, which was branded “institutionally racist” and “misogynist” by its last chief constable, has been “unable to demonstrate cultural change,” according to a new watchdog report.

While HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland Craig Naylor praised work on improving awareness of ethics and human rights in the force, his report concluded that Police Scotland still had a culture marked by “an unwillingness to challenge unacceptable behaviour.”

“We consider there to be under-reporting of misconduct concerns,” Mr Naylor added.

The inspection detailed in the report was the first since the retirement of former chief constable Sir Iain Livingstone, who admitted that the force was institutionally discriminatory as the inquiry into the death in custody of Sheku Bayoh got under way amid allegations of racism in the case.

Solicitor Aamer Anwar, who is representing Mr Bayoh’s family and is also a veteran campaigner for police reform in Scotland, told the Morning Star: “The longer the culture of racism, misogyny, homophobia and sectarianism is not dealt with by Police Scotland, then those officers or members of the public at the receiving end of discrimination will have no confidence that real change will ever happen.

“The fact that the [Police] Federation went on the attack in the first instance when chief constable Livingstone issued his historic call for change reflected a childlike denial of discrimination and further proof of backward attitudes that persist.

“For far too long, those in policing have refused to accept the undeniable fact that institutional racism exists, as those in uniform continued to rain blows of racism on our communities.

“Those who continue to resist should have no place in a modern police service.”

Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “We will carefully consider how this report can further inform our commitment to a culture of continuous improvement across everything we do.”