Phil Stephenson

Branch Secretary of Durham Police Federation. Post Incident and Conduct Rep. Mental Health First Aider. IOD/IHR advisor. Proud to represent 1400 members.

[Phil Stephenson @DurhamFedSec]

Makes a remarkable season even more remarkable!

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Sunderland’s starting XI in their joyous, season-ending 2-1 victory over listless Chelsea cost the same as £106m Enzo Fernandez. This is no slight on a world champion, an elite attacking midfielder, full of craft and craftiness, if moody at times. This is simply a celebration of Sunderland’s exceptional recruitment, finding gems who can see - and seize - the opportunity at the Stadium of Light.

This is also a celebration of Regis Le Bris’ remarkable team-building, blending and bonding qualities which have guided a side promoted via the play-offs into seventh and Europe. For those of us who thought Sunderland would go straight back down, apologies and enjoy Europe. You deserve it. A well-run football operation deserves it. That backing from stands to boardroom deserves it. Football also deserves it: a reminder that the status quo can be challenged with shrewd planning and investment and hard work.

Of Le Bris’ starting XI against Chelsea, eight joined on the eve of the season and one in the winter window: Roefs a reported £9m from Nijmegen; Mukiele £9.5m from PS-G; Reinaldo free from Atletico Madrid; Geertruida loan from RB Leipzig; Le Fee £19.3m, loan made permanent from Roma; Xhaka £13m from Bayer Leverkusen; Sadiki £15m from Union St-Gilloise; Angulo £17.5m from Anderlecht (in February); and seven-goal Brobbey £21.6m from Ajax. Two 2025 arrivals came off the bench: Diarra £30m from Strasbourg; and Isidor £5m loan made permanent from Zenit St-Petersburg (in February 2025).

Three of the 14 involved were already at the club. The starting pair of: Hume £200,000 from Linfield in 2022; and O’Nien undisclosed but reported as £200,000 to £300,000 from Wycombe Wanderers in 2018. And the sub: Rigg from Sunderland’s academy. (The £105.5m total does not include the undisclosed loan fees).

When Sunderland won 2-1 at the Bridge in October, Le Bris’ starting XI cost only £75m (and also had the important Ballard, £2m from Arsenal in 2022). Chelsea’s starting XI was £433m.

Four miles from the Bridge, on Park Lane this evening, the League Managers Association celebrates its members’ many achievements this season. Le Bris certainly deserves a mention. Mixing old and many new players, and getting new signings to settle quickly, requires real people skills. Le Bris and his staff clearly have them.

It’s also a reflection on Sunderland’s family club reputation that so many newcomers are welcomed and assimilated so quickly. Some will move on, some will be moved on but what a journey this is across England - and soon Europe. #SAFC

[Police Federation of England and Wales @PFEW_HQ]

(2/2) We’re calling for a 7% annual award for 3 years to stabilise retention and stop the service hollowing out.
Officers have #CoppedEnough.

✍️ Sign the digital picket line: https://t.co/HeOrD5Wt61

[Police Federation of England and Wales @PFEW_HQ]

Policing can’t survive another real‑terms pay cut.

(1/2) We have submitted our pay claim to the PRRB calling for a minimum 7% annual uplift for the next three years.

@ukhomeoffice

[The Northern Echo @TheNorthernEcho]

Durham police officer wins national award for boosting night-time safety https://t.co/EZEynmPpHe

[Sunderland Echo @SunderlandEcho]

We're very proud - police officers praised for saving life of toddler in cardiac arrest https://t.co/tIr6bZae4d

[Police Federation of England and Wales @PFEW_HQ]

Police officers have #CoppedEnough.

On Monday, following PFEW representation to ensure chief officers and ministers understand the importance of the issue, Lord Bailey re-tabled three Amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill at the Report Stage.

🧵

[Police Federation of England and Wales @PFEW_HQ]

Deputy National Chair Brian Booth and National Board Member Paul Williams met with Policing Minister @LabourSJ to discuss the urgent issue of officer suicide, stressing the need for mandatory recording and reaffirming their commitment to pursuing future legislative change.

[UKPUT North East Chapter @UKPUTNorthEast]

🚴‍♂️ North East Chapter entries are now CLOSED! for the @PolUnityTourUK

2026 will be our BIGGEST ride ever

More riders. More support. One powerful reason.

We ride in memory of fallen officers & for the families of @UK_COPS

#TeamCops
#ALifeRemembered
#WeRideForThoseWhoDied

[Police Federation of England and Wales @PFEW_HQ]

We’ve written publicly to @ZackPolanski following his comments on recent Elbit protest verdicts.

Welcoming outcomes while failing to acknowledge a police officer being seriously injured matters.

Empathy for those harmed in the line of duty should never be optional.

[Avon & Somerset Police Federation @ASPolfed]

"We remind the public that a brave police officer's spine was fractured during this incident." Avon and Somerset Police Federation statement following Woolwich Crown Court verdict https://t.co/RmIzJ51asO

[Phil Stephenson @DurhamFedSec]

Absolutely the right outcome for this officer who I represented. Months and months of hell for her leading up to this result.

[The Northern Echo @TheNorthernEcho]

Bishop Auckland police officer cleared of racism towards colleague https://t.co/zCvVby3mVj

[Police Federation of England and Wales @PFEW_HQ]

Police reform must pass 5 tests ☑️

The @ukhomeoffice police reform plans won’t fix policing unless they strengthen the frontline and support the officers who deliver it.

📖 Read our full response and the detail behind each test here: https://t.co/iumzgIm2Ru

[Police Federation of England and Wales @PFEW_HQ]

Nominations for the 2026 Police Federation national bravery awards are open. Here's a reminder of the outstanding work in the face of danger police officers from around the country were nominated for last year.

https://t.co/CdIcwYnhgM.

[Phil Stephenson @DurhamFedSec]

Having worked with and represented this officer for over two years, I am glad the panel saw through this today and found no case to answer having heard the facts. A huge sense of relief for the officer who can now get her career back on track.

[The Northern Echo @TheNorthernEcho]

Police officer accused of using racist language and 'singling out' black colleague https://t.co/8x2h6cVN39

[Police Federation of England and Wales @PFEW_HQ]

🚨 Police suicide is a silent crisis – and it’s killing officers.

More than 100 police officers and staff have died by suicide since 2022.

Over 200 have attempted to take their lives.

🧵👇

[Phil Stephenson @DurhamFedSec]

@Errass40 Absolutely Paul and even if they were able to retire or resign they would still be pursued.

[Phil Stephenson @DurhamFedSec]

Would rank and file be able to simply retire and walk away without facing any misconduct proceedings?? I’m not sure they would, even as a former officer.

[Phil Stephenson @DurhamFedSec]

Our Branch Chair Louise Guest has today featured on @BBCNEandCumbria Politics North programme talking about Police reform and the suggested creation of larger forces.

[BBC North East @BBCNEandCumbria]

Police body opposes plans to create regional force https://t.co/ttOTtYr604

[Police Federation of England and Wales @PFEW_HQ]

We took #CoppedEnough to party conferences – meeting MPs and Peers to press for real change for police officers.

We called for fair pay, a credible pay mechanism, stronger protection and action on mental health and trauma.

More in #POLICEMag 👇
https://t.co/gHrnb14bLO

[Phil Stephenson @DurhamFedSec]

A GoFundMe Page has been set up by our colleagues at Gloucestershire Police to assist one of their officers following a horrendous incident. Please help out after this unimaginable loss if you can.

https://t.co/PbtpTmIdbC