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England and Tottenham Hotspur footballer Jermain Defoe is suing the police, claiming he and other footballers are regularly pulled over when driving because they are black.
The striker, 26, was locked up by police in Harlow last month after being arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified.
He was held overnight until officers checked with the courts and realised they had made a mistake. Defoe's lawyer Nick Freeman said the player was suing Essex Police for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment and damages would run to "several thousand pounds".
Mr Freeman said: "Race will be a strong element of our claim." He said Defoe would be donating any money received to an anti-racism charity.
Mr Freeman, who is known as Mr Loophole for his ability to help high-profile individuals be cleared of driving charges, added: "I asked Jermain if he feels there is a racist element involved. He said he discussed it with black colleagues and they have similar experiences. He asked his white colleagues and they didn't have similar experiences.
"Every time he is in his Range Rover he gets pulled over and he does not know why.
"Race will be a strong element of our claim when it is lodged within the next few weeks. He is a high-profile footballer and he is black - the combination of the two are obviously factors."
Mr Freeman said Defoe had received a letter of apology from the police two days after the arrest, but added: "We want a finding against the police because if you don't have that finding then this sort of thing will continue.
"It is not about money, it is about the principle. Any money he receives will be given to charity."
Mr Freeman said police could have checked on Google and seen press reports that his driving ban had been suspended while he appealed against his conviction for speeding.
Mr Freeman added: "They kept him locked in a cell for five hours. Why not bail him and make your enquiries? It's astonishing."
Defoe, from Cuffley, Hertfordshire, was arrested for driving while disqualified in July, shortly after receiving a driving ban. During his appeal he is still allowed behind the wheel.
Essex Police said a computer error meant it did not show up on the system that Defoe was allowed to drive.
A spokeswoman for Essex Police said: "Essex Police is conducting an investigation and is liaising with Mr Defoe's legal team.
"It would not be appropriate to comment any further at this time."
Reader views (35)
I would like to comment on Shiwesha post about white people not understanding what racism is like.
I am a white male and I work in West Africa and I do understand how abusive and cruel my fellow man can be,
As a white man and in the minority I have been on the receiving end of Racist abuse. I also know what it's like to be looked at as a piece of scum and be treated pretty poorly, why ?? because I'm white.
I would also like to add that not all people in this part of the world are like this.But then again not all whites are like this either, but some are and there is no excuse for it.
C
- John Doe, London , England
I am a black woman that has experienced racism to its fullest and I understand completely what Mr. Defoe is going through. It is hard for white people to understand this type of treatment because you have never had to experience it. You are able to drive your fancy cars, live in nice homes and work good jobs without being under the suspicious eye of the law. Whites have always had the upper hand in equality, whereas blacks are still fighting for the right to be treated with dignity. Mr. Defoe has the right to drive a nice car,and have nice things without being harassed about it by the police or by you people. When he is winning ball games for London, you love him, but when he is being treated unjustly, you trash him and kick him when he is down. Shame on all of you
- Shiwesha, Lancaster, California
Mr Defoe welcome to the real world! just because you are a footballer doesn't make you less black! Yes there are some Black people who are out there to commit crime but suprise, surprise there are also lots of White, Asian, Oriental etc out there commiting crimes too the problem is the Blacks are victimised and all tarred with the same brush the fact that your a footballer was born in and play for England means nothing you have a nice Car and are Black and for those who say it isn't racist are obviously not!
- Tashap, Putney, London
I would like to comment on this article regarding Defoe being pulled over because he is 'black.'
I'm white and not racist but it makes me really angry when a black person turns round and usually always says 'is it because i'm black?' You've heard it so many times and they seem to accuse anyone of being racist against them.
Whites and blacks have lived along side each other in this country for years yet you never hear a white person saying 'is is because i'm white.'
It seems to me that it's ok for a black person to accuse us whites of being racist yet i've found out that it's us 'honkey's' or 'white trash' that usually get the names called to us from black people.
He was pulled for a reason and not because he was black.
This country always seems to favour the minority who then accuse us of being racist.
It's ok for black women to have their own group for domestic violence but if there was a group set up for white women we'd be called racist. We can't call a blackboard a blackboard anymore because it's racist but it's ok to call a whiteboard a whiteboard.
When are black people and the government going to realise that it's not us whites that are bringing racism into it it's the black thugs and the government.
I hope defoe gets banned not because he is black but because of what he has done.
- T, Leeds
There is an element of truth to this. When I worked in the city as a Trader and FX Dealer, I often got pulled over by the police for driving a certain car. The usual checks and questions ensued. My most anticipated question was what I did for living. " I am a dealer" I would happily retort. Let the semantics begin!
- Sunny Soto, London
There seems to be a tendency to overlook the facts...
Mr Defoe's vehicle was caught in excess of the speed limit twice on the 50mph section of the M11.
Mr Defoe failed to respond to two requests to identify the driver (Notice of Intended Prosecution)
Mr Defoe was prosecuted for failing to reply to those notices, a offence within itself. He is fined £1500 and banned.
Mr Defoe's lawyer appeals the driving ban (no doubt as a delaying tactic to keep him on the road) on the basis of some minor procedural issue relating to the original speeding tickets
Whilst his arrest as a result of a clerical error on the part of Essex Police is unfortunate it would not have happened if he's replied to the Notices of Intended prosecution that he was sent by the Police.
As for the belated race card, well it's a bit rich really... as the GATSO Camera that caught his vehicle doing more than 50 at the end of the M11 (the start of this whole affair) is undoubtedly not racist!
In short you reap what you sow -- Ultimately it is his general disregard for the law that led to his arrest... it's got nothing to do with the colour of his skin.
- Jon, London
Howard,London,UK. You have hit the nail on the head, .It is these scrupulous lawyers who are out there to "rake up fees all payable by the taxpayers..." Had the lawyer been honest and said to J,Defoe he has no case. I blame the system which is in place ,and it must be changed.Now days taxpayers are loosing money right ,left and centre. Baby P case. I think some blacks have chip on their shoulder,especially the footballers.
- Surj, london
Race, the most over used card trick in the world today.
- Barry, woking, GB
Is it racist to suggest that black people are pulled over at the side of the road as the police often, and more frequently find drugs, knives & other weapons in black drivers cars. Otherwise they wouldn't pull them over??
Common sense suggests this, knife crime statistics suggest this and official crime figures suggest this.
I'm hoping the PC mob don't question this, im merely stating facts and not being in any way racist.
If ginger haird people started committing a disproportionately high level of crime then i wouldn't complain if they got pulled over more often.
- Greg, SW12
Just shows that we still haven't kicked racism out of football. What Defoe descibes is a regular occurance. Not just footballers but other black professionals in suits have been stopped. What is going on in Essex Police?
- Dhan Raj, Basildon
The police didn't treat him badly because they're racist. They treated him badly because they're envious.
They knew exactly who he was: an overpaid flashy footballer with a cushy life, nice car, big house, model girlfriend etc etc.
They didn't arrest him because he was black, they arrested him because he's rich. Sue them for being sad, envious cowards, not for being racist!
- Steve, London
The police computer was wrong...fine. Officers have to go by that on the road side do you honestly think they will believe what a jumped up idiot says without checking it! Bcoz no one lies to the police!!!!
The race issue is just one to get publicity and make more money and make him look like a saint and a good citizen by donating it to charity!
- Jh, London
The police should be allowed to get on with their job free from all the political correctness rubbish that they are constantly being hampered with.
- Vivek, London
Would it be a racist arrest if a white YRPT (Young, Rich & Plank-Thick; also now known as a DEFOE) footballer was collared by a black police officer?
- Paul H, London, UK
If he goes ahead with his claim, he'll lose about by making himisel (again) look like an utter prat (not a difficult job, even for a footballer); the public purse (that's us) will foot a huge bill; Loophole (aka Loot-hole) trousers a fat fee. Here we go again...
- Paul H, London, UK
1. The Police refused not only to believe that he was not driving whilst disqualified but also his solcitor.
2. Now, if an offender says something which the Police believe to be untrue, and the computer records [wrongly entered]say he's wrong, fair enough. An apology would have been sufficient.
3. For his solicitor to make a representation shifted the goal posts [forgive the pun] as to do so could have got him into serious professional trouble; a lawyer would not jeopardise their career over something so minor.
4. Neither Defoe nor the solicitor were going very far, so a subsequent arrest - had the Police been correct but had nonetheless released him on the solicitor's say-so - would not have been difficult.
5. No lay person can know whether the Essex Police were conducting a witch hunt against Defoe or black people in general but from what I heard on the TV news last night it suggests something a little more sinister here.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England
Maybe the police were Arsenal players in disguise?
- Lord P, Luton
I have no sympathy and wonder how he was raised, as Jermaine Defoe is indeed a poor excuse for a Black man who lives with no pride, no self respect and little time for the Black community or real social issues I hope he looses. Just because he fels hurt and humiliated he is taking things further and claiming racism-welcome to the real world and grow up.
- Bernard Marr, London UK
Well surprise surprise.
What a shocker.
Who would have guessed.
Etc, etc...
Don't forget to throw in some human rights abuses for good measure. Weren't you also beaten up in the cells?
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
FACT: He was banned from driving, this was held up on "appeal", which means he was found GUILTY but he and his lawyer are protesting this verdict. The police made a mistake by not seeing this and this means they are racist? I guess it was racist of them to pull him over for speeding time and time again, What a load of rubbish! Just shows you how ignorant he is by thinking he is above the law because he is rich and famous. I hope they increase his ban on appeal.
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London
Booooooring. "It's 'cos I'm black". It's so cliched it should be on Little Britain. The lawyer is just as repulsive as the money and attention grabbing footballer.
- Mark, London
This is Defoe all over, big chip on his shoulder. He's got previous as far as driving convictions are concerned and like the rest of us should suffer the consequences.
- Paul, Cambs
Jermaine, I love it when you score for Spurs - but playing the race card over a disputed motoring nicking? Leave it out and take some advice from proper people.
- Ted, London
Why do football players have such stupid tattoos?
- Anthony, Esher, Surrey
Well Done Jermaine.
You hit rock bottom when your gold digger girlfriend
& her mum was looking for your new home on tV. And you always came across as the typical footballer out of touch with the reality of britain & with no genuine interest in improving the lives of black people - headed for the white trophy girlfriend & the expensive divorce.
But suing the police for racism is a great move. if you don't punish evil doers they become more evil. and that is what the law is for. you won't e taken seriously unless you do serious things. And you'd be even smarter if your lawyers are relative - keep it in the family. if you tolerate this then your children will be next.
It's just a pity it had to happen to you - you didnt care when it happened to others. your football skills will fade with time but maturity & intelligence is far more valuable. Aston Villa should have ought you.
- Oilthieves, bucks
What a cry baby Defoe is. Grow up the police have a job to do. I was banned for driving for a while and allowed a friend (white) to borrow it and the police stopped him thinking it was me driving illegally same issue. Let us not forget here this arrogant footballer committed several traffic offences so would you be happy with him racing round the streets and knocking down some innocent pedestrian. I hope is banned now!
- Richard, Nottingham
Good lad, Jermain.
Take ZaNuLabour's Party State PC 'Stealth Stasi' to the cleaners, and make it a very, very public humiliation!
Get a grip quick 'sycophant Stephenson', or you won't have your cushy job this time next year!
- Dave, Cumbria
Why on earth was he held overnight on this particular charge. The police give 'police bail' to people who are suspects in murder and assault cases in other words real criminal acts. I think he has a good point regarding victimisation and the police should have been more understanding.
- Nick Holland, glasgow
As an African American living in England for the past 10yrs, all I can say is.... JD, please don't do it...
It's going to cost another £500K - £1m in legal/court fees to find that the Police were not acting in a racist and then another £1-3m will be spent on setting up another inquiry on race relations...
JD, as we both are aware... the most immediate way of getting stopped in the UK is to drive anything of prestige that doesn't have an Addison Lee banner blazed across the rear...
The inability to identify which impound lot was not racist, that was the usual UK incompetence at it's finest...
- Andre, london
A disproportionate number of black British people get stopped by the police. If it takes a footballers salary to challenge this then so be it. (White) I and my (black) friend drive each others cars. He is stopped frequently and for reasons not related to any traffic offence, and I very rarely, even when we are driving 2 cars together.
Anyway, yes you can argue there go moneybags to mr loophole from a footie playboy again, but really that's sounds like so much sour grapes. If Mr Defoe is such a problem on the roads, detaining him unlawfully isn't the way to change that.
- Gigamac, Liverpool, UK
however the police should obey the law whether he is rich or poor
Also, it goes without saying the police would have treated him better if he had been white and had not been rich.
- John Lowe, London
Footballer has tantrum shocker! I think we've all been there, seen it and done it on a weekly basis.
- Bob, Cheam
Once again we have a wealthy footballer who believes that he above the law and a "clever lawyer" using every trick in the book to keep him on our roads when his actions clearly prove that he should change his driving habits and the ban would have given him some thinking time.Of course if we could get lucky he could break a leg and that would keep him off our roads.
- Mike M, Bedford England
I am sure the lawyers cant wait for this to go to civil court so they can rack up fees all payable by the tax payer when Essex police loose the case.
- Howard, London, UK
Just another example of having so much money that you can buy anything,except health.I feel the proper course of action for Mr.Defoe would be to accept the apology from the police instead of giving mr.loophole more free publicity.
- Michael Monaghan, London
