Why the UK Head of Terrorism is not woke but actually appreciated for supporting an important issue.

It is a very sad day when a major news publication has nothing more important to run as its headline than a UK Police Chief wearing a ‘MenoVest’. For those of you who have missed out on this story that is clearly so much more important than all the other issues facing us across the country, the story relates to Matt Jukes who is the UK’s Head of Terrorism and an Assistant Commissioner in the Met Police. Mr Jukes chose to wear a ‘MenoVest’ for a week at work. The MenoVest is the world’s first vest that stimulates a menopausal hot flush. Of course with the current media narrative, Mr Jukes was criticised for wearing this vest.

We are the first to knock Met Police Commanders and co if they do not support their frontline colleagues, but on this occasion, Mr Jukes we stand with you and support you for actually undertaking in this task and for having the opportunity to experience what women going through the menopause experience.

Mr Jukes chose to wear this vest to stand and support the many, many women who work in the Met and do such a vital role in the organisation. For those equally grasping at straws to criticise Mr Jukes saying he only wore it for a week and the menopause lasts much longer, at least he wore it for a week and actively chose to see what it is like for women during that week.

What is also interesting is that if Mr Jukes had actually done the opposite and berated a female colleague for talking about the menopause, the headline would then have been just how unsympathetic he was and he would have then been knocked for not understanding the many issues women face. So Mr Jukes, which ever path you take, they will moan.

The Menopause is an important issue to talk about, it is something that impacts all women and their family at some stage in their life. Having the opportunity to talk about this and for a man to experience what women will go through is very important so fair play to you Assistant Commissioner.

Mr Jukes has rightly made no apology for wearing the vest and has stated what an important contribution women in the Met make.

This was not woke, his duties as Head of UK Terrorism were not impacted and he still remains, as I am informed, a much respected leader in the policing world. He has however, gained an appreciation by women who recognise and thank him for choosing to experience what women going through the menopause deal with.