'Clearly offensive' | Police officer sacked after singing homophobic version of 'Last Christmas' in the office

A police officer has been sacked after a series of workplace incidents, including a “clearly homophobic and offensive” rendition of a Christmas hit.

In a recent misconduct hearing, Police Constable Leon Cunningham of Thames Valley Police was found guilty of gross misconduct due to homophobic and sexist behaviour. The hearing concluded with Cunningham's dismissal without notice and his addition to the barred list, following a series of incidents that violated the dignity and respect of his colleagues, creating a hostile work environment.

Of particular note among Cunningham's actions, he altered the lyrics of Wham!'s "Last Christmas" to include offensive references to gay people. 

On 22 November 2022, while on duty in the Priority Crime Team office at Reading Police Station, Cunningham sang: “Last Christmas, I gave you my bum,” and, “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, but the very next day, you said you were gay. This year, to save me from queer…”