The boss of the Greater Manchester branch of the 'police union' has stepped down just a year into the job in a row about police pensions.
Lee Broadbent was elected chairman of the Greater Manchester branch of the Police Federation, the association which represents rank-and-file cops, in December 2021.
Some 14 months into the job, Constable Broadbent has announced his resignation from the role amid disagreement with other Police Federation leaders about the challenge he led on the police pensions, which he believed discriminated against female officers.
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Con Broadbent emailed his resignation letter to colleagues and also posted the text on his Twitter account yesterday (Friday), telling cops he didn't have the support of the Greater Manchester branch which he said was 'fractured and distracted' over the pensions dispute. He also previously criticised Police Federation colleagues in a blog titled 'silence is not an option' over their reaction to the crimes of serial rapist Metropolitan Police Service officer David Carrick.
His resignation letter said: "I have, this evening, informed the National Secretary of (the Police Federation of England and Wales) and our Chief Constable that with immediate effect I am stepping down from my role as Chair of Greater Manchester Police Federation. Despite believing that I have strong membership support and a lot to offer our membership and the organisation, I do not feel valued or welcome within the Police Federation.
"It has been made clear to me that my involvement in the Pensions Challenge/current litigation is problematic. I feel there has been an irreparable breakdown in working relationships largely due to the litigations being brought, for which I have been deemed the figurehead despite merely asserting my legal rights along with thousands of our colleagues.
"In this basis, I feel I have no choice but to step down. Our force is undergoing a significant change programme and you are under considerable pressure. You deserve representation from a team who are united and committed to acting in your best interests.
"Sadly our team is fractured, distracted and it has been made abundantly (clear) that I do not have the confidence or support of your branch board, despite a democratic process which saw me elected by members fairly and transparently.
"Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be your voice in these challenging times and wish you all the very best. Stay safe."
When he was elected in November 2021, he ousted the sitting chairman Stu Berry who had dismissed Con Broadbent as a 'show pony'. It was the first time a sitting chairman had been voted out since the branch was conceived alongside GMP in 1973.
The M.E.N. has asked the Police Federation of England and Wales for a comment. A statement from the Greater Manchester branch said: "Every day the Police Federation supports hard working officers in Greater Manchester Police with their incredibly difficult and sadly dangerous job - and this continues, no matter who are the post holders.
""Holding a permanent position with GMP Federation - including serving as its Chairman - is a privilege but also an incredibly challenging, complex and demanding job. Policing is under the microscope as never before and our wider board of elected representatives are united in our ongoing work to back our bobbies. A process will begin to elect a new chair for the Federation."
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