#UK #England – A Christian former Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) with North Yorkshire Police secured a confidential settlement with the force after he was suspended, pressured to resign, found guilty of gross misconduct in his absence, and placed on a national barring list for raising questions about jihad and Islam during mandatory diversity training.
Luke Salmons, a 46-year-old father of two from Harrogate who had previously worked in construction for 20 years, joined the police out of a desire to serve his community, motivated in part by his Christian faith. He attended a compulsory pilot training session on race, religion, and culture at Northallerton police headquarters in October 2024. The session was presented as a “safe space” for open discussion.
During the training, Salmons asked questions about “jihad” and events in the Middle East, including a conversation with a Muslim sergeant about Gaza. He also described other sessions in which external trainers repeatedly chanted “Islam is a religion of peace.” On a separate occasion, when asked to give an Easter talk, he was told he could not reference Bible verses.
Two days after the October session, Salmons was suspended. He spent six months isolated while an investigation proceeded. He later reported that he was never given a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations. In April 2025, under mounting pressure that took a severe toll on his family, he resigned. North Yorkshire Police then held a gross misconduct hearing in his absence, dismissed him, and placed him on the College of Policing barred list, effectively ending his policing career.
Salmons appealed the decision. In December 2025, Chief Constable Tim Forber overturned the gross misconduct finding before Salmons had even completed his submissions. Forber ruled that while Salmons’ comments had made some people uncomfortable, they did not amount to a breach of standards. The Chief Constable noted that North Yorkshire Police respected individual beliefs but expected them to be expressed with “due consideration of respect and courtesy.” He recommended reflective practice instead and confirmed that Salmons would not remain on the barred list.
Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, Salmons brought claims of constructive dismissal, direct and indirect religious discrimination, harassment under the Equality Act 2010, and violations of his rights to freedom of religion and expression under Articles 9 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The case settled on confidential terms without proceeding to a full Employment Tribunal hearing.
In a statement, Salmons described the ordeal as devastating for his family. “This process devastated me and my family,” he said. “For months we lived in total uncertainty, with my reputation being shredded in secret. The most frightening moment was being told I was effectively banned from policing for life.” He added that he believed he was on safe ground in a session inviting open discussion, but discovered that “questioning Islam is now treated as wrongthink.” Salmons now works for a Christian charity supporting the homeless.
Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said the case highlighted broader issues. “The rise and influence of Islam in our institutions is rapid and alarming,” she stated. “Luke was explicitly invited to speak openly in what was presented as a safe space, only to be suspended, investigated, and driven out for doing exactly that. This was not about misconduct, it was about control.”
North Yorkshire Police has not publicly commented in detail on the settlement. The case has drawn attention to ongoing debates about free speech, religious expression, and the content of diversity and inclusion training within UK public services. Salmons’ experience has been widely reported in outlets including The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Sceptic.
Salmons expressed hope for national change: “I am pleased to have now reached a settlement. I want to move on with my life but believe radical national change is needed in our police force.”
Image: Luke Salmons as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) in 2018.
