Police Scotland has postponed a new clean-shaven policy after taking health and safety advice and listening to feedback from officers, the force has confirmed.

The policy, which has already been pushed back from May, would force staff to remove any facial hair – including beards and moustaches – to comply with face-fitted PPE masks.

Police Scotland insisted there would be exemptions to the ban including for religious, cultural, disability or medical reasons.

When the policy was announced earlier this year, the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) said it had been “inundated with complaints” and claimed a number of officers intended to pursue employment tribunal cases.

The policy will be reviewed again in a year.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Read more:
Police Scotland officers threatening legal action against plan to ban beards

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “We have postponed implementation of the policy having sought further health and safety advice and after listening to the lived experience of our people.

Police release animated images of man wanted for 2007 murder of Thomas Cameron

David Goodwillie: Glasgow United ‘won’t walk away’ from rapist footballer

Man fighting for his life after police lock down street in Paisley and make two arrests

“I am very grateful to all divisions, staff associations and unions who provided valuable feedback during the consultation phase.

“Postponing implementation allows further examination of the evidence base for a policy which is proportionate and justifies change, particularly where that change has a significant impact on officers and staff.

“This work will be reviewed in 12 months to ensure we reach an agreed position on a policy which has the health and safety of our people at its core.”

Related posts:

Vaccine side-effects to fertility concerns – Van-Tam answers your questions Global internet outage hits major websites – including the UK government site Fans could have been killed after ‘mindless thugs’ stormed Euro 2020 final, report finds Steps concert in Glasgow among sources of new Omicron cases, Nicola Sturgeon says Man arrested over suspected abduction attempt of four-year-old girl at pub Man in UK accused of being US fugitive ‘tried to organise fake memorial mass by posing as grieving widow’ ‘We will meet again’: Archbishop of Canterbury’s sermon in full King’s goodbye as Queen’s coffin is seen in public for the final time Missing dog walker would ‘never leave her two girls’, says friend Double murder suspect ‘killed toddler during game of hide and seek’ A distinctly Ukrainian feel in Liverpool for Eurovision as city festival gets under way Police officers ‘fear being labelled a grass if they call out misogyny and sexism’