My name is Issy Vine, and I’m asking for help to rebuild my life and fight the Met Police in court after losing everything for doing what I believed was right.

While working for the Metropolitan Police, I spoke out about serious wrongdoing. In 2023, a colleague made deeply offensive and unacceptable comments — including about a rape victim, immigrants, and Sarah Everard — and also followed me. Although he was initially dismissed for gross misconduct, he was reinstated just four months later, despite the misconduct still being proven.

What followed changed my life completely. I faced sustained retaliation, isolation, and hostility within my workplace — to the point it severely impacted my mental and physical health. I now live with PTSD symptoms and a serious autoimmune condition brought on by extreme stress.

Eventually, I had no choice but to resign in order to protect myself and to be able to speak out freely. In doing so, I lost my career, my stability, and most of what I owned. I had to sell my belongings just to survive.

I am now taking my case to tribunal for victimisation, failure to make reasonable adjustments, and constructive dismissal. This isn’t just about accountability in my own case — it’s about challenging the systems that allowed this to happen, in the hope that no other staff member is treated the way I was for speaking up.

Alongside this, I am continuing to push for Isabelle’s Campaign, which calls for the introduction of a National Police Misconduct Body and a transparent register of all misconduct — both gross and non-gross — for officers and staff.

Since leaving, I’ve been doing everything I can to stay afloat — working where I’m able, building my art, and trying to rebuild some form of independence. But the reality is, my health limits what I can do, and the legal process I’m facing is both long and expensive.

As of May 2026, my situation has changed again. I am no longer able to remain in my current accommodation and will be putting my belongings into storage. I will be moving between places — including travelling abroad where the cost of living is significantly lower — simply to survive while I continue this legal fight. I have also come off Universal Credit support, so I am now fully relying on my own income, my artwork, and this fundraiser to get by.

I have recently made the difficult decision to discontinue my legal advisor and will be self-representing moving forward, as it is not feasible for me to continue fundraising for an additional £12,000 with no guarantee of reaching that target. The pressure of trying to raise that amount has been having a serious impact on my health. I still have £3,275 to pay towards legal fees before 16th June, which I will manage alongside my remaining savings.

This fundraiser, which has been running since June 2025, has helped cover basic living costs and legal support so far.

Going forward, it is focused on:

• helping me cover essential survival costs while my case is ongoing

• giving me a foundation to rebuild my life once this process is over

I will be doing everything I can to settle my case as soon as possible so I can move forward without having to continue fundraising.

I also want to be transparent — if anyone donated specifically towards legal representation for the June hearings and would prefer a refund, I am more than happy to arrange that. If and when my case is settled or successful, I also intend to put money from the outcome back into my campaigns.

I know there can be judgment around asking for help or having previously relied on Universal Credit, but the reality is I am doing what I can to survive, hold on, and see this through.

This situation has taken a huge toll on my health, stability, and future. But I am determined to get through it — not just for myself, but so I can continue supporting others who have experienced similar wrongdoing and use my voice to push for change.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for any support you’re able to give — whether that’s donating, sharing, or simply standing with me.

Issy