George The Poet has claimed he was harassed by police (Picture: Instagram/Getty)

Social commentator and spoken-word artist George the Poet says he was left humiliated after being allegedly racially profiled by police outside his family home.

The 27-year-old performer, who opened the BBC coverage of the royal wedding in May, took to social media on Friday to allege that he was strip-searched in the back of a van on suspicion of carrying firearms.

Posting a video of himself in handcuffs and flanked by two officers, he said that ‘police rolled up in that big van asking questions about my car.’

‘Out of nowhere they cuffed me and searched my car for weapons,’ he told his 20,000 followers.


‘After the car it was the first issue. They put me in the van and did a strip search. They then took 20 mins to write my search slip, being rude to my parents and neighbours the whole time



The London-born activist, who grew up on an estate in Neasden in northwest London and studied at Cambridge University, went on to say that despite his various achievements, he was not exempt from the racial bias faced by black men daily.

‘This week I’ve done talks on diversity in Cambridge and Cardiff. Both were amazing experiences. Last night I delivered a show about all aspects of English life – school, relationships, politics, and colonialism.

‘I don’t like sharing images of me being handled like a second class citizen by public servants whose salaries we pay taxes for. This is not how I see myself, and it’s not what I invite into my life. But these images should be an education for anyone who doesn’t understand the toxic energies that are quietly spread throughout our community by state actors. Imagine if my nephews woke up and saw their big famous uncle getting handled like this. What seeds would that sow in them?’

George The Poet is hugely successful in the spoken word arena (Picture: Rex Features)

George, full name George Mpanga, signed off with a plea to younger boys to stop the violence against each other and recognize their ‘real enemies’.

‘Please wake up and realize who your real enemies are. Realize how much harder you’re making it for your children. These people don’t wanna see us up, but still like dust we’ll rise.’

The incident took place after the wordsmith took the stage in London for his sold out Have Your Heard George’s Podcast show. His performance of The Beauty of Union was chosen by the BBC to introduce the broadcaster’s coverage of the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding.

After sharing his experience, he received an outpouring of support from members of the community community, with one Twitter user describing the incident as an ‘absolutely ridiculous waste of resources: our tax money, police time and the creative energy of a recognised artist.’

He later reassured fans that he was OK and faced no charges. ‘The real story is the amazing human beings who made my #HYHGP show tonight so special. I love you people so much’.

George added: ‘I’m overwhelmed by all your support, thank you. And thanks to the police officers who have DM’d me apologising on their colleagues’ behalfs. But obviously the disrespect is intense. I’m annoyed because I don’t want this to be part of my narrative, but we don’t get a say in this.’

A Scotland Yard spokesman told Metro.co.uk that although they unable to confirm details of the incident, ‘any person who wishes to complain about police conduct is urged to make contact with the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards.’



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