A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice following undercover footage revealing colleagues at Charing Cross police station making racist and sexist remarks. The footage, obtained for a BBC Panorama documentary, depicts officers at the central London station calling for immigrants to be shot and boasting about using violence against suspects. The officer arrested is a sergeant attached to the Central West Basic Command Unit. He was taken into custody on 2 October, later bailed, and suspended from duty pending further investigation.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest relates to an incident on 2 October connected to matters highlighted in the BBC Panorama investigation. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been informed and is independently probing allegations concerning Charing Cross. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine emphasised the force’s commitment to tackling corruption and misconduct at Charing Cross and across the Met, highlighting swift action taken through internal reporting mechanisms. Professional standards officers promptly executed the arrest following the emergence of these new allegations, with Valentine promising decisive steps to remove officers unfit for service.

Reactions to the Panorama documentary include comments from Keir Starmer, who described the footage as “shocking” based on descriptions he had received. Starmer welcomed the Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s robust response to the revelations. Commissioner Mark Rowley expressed horror at what was shown but reassured Londoners that the “vast majority” of officers could be trusted. The IOPC is investigating nine serving officers, one former officer, and a detention officer for gross misconduct. Allegations include excessive force, discriminatory and misogynistic language, and failure to report or challenge inappropriate behaviour.

The distressing footage, recorded undercover by reporter Rory Bibb, includes officer PC Phil Neilson making incendiary comments about immigrants, suggesting they should either be shot or deported. He reportedly referred to Algerians and Somalians as “scum” and suggested there was an invasion of the UK by migrants. Another officer, PC Martin Borg, boasted about colleagues violently stamping on a detainee’s leg and even appeared to offer to provide a false witness statement about the incident. Such revelations reinforce long-standing concerns about racism and brutality within parts of the force.

This incident adds to a troubling history of undercover policing scandals in Britain. Previous cases, such as those involving former officers Robert Lambert and Mark Kennedy, uncovered serious abuses, including deception in personal relationships with activists and manipulation under cover with tacit approval from superiors. Lambert’s undercover role in the controversial Special Demonstration Squad led to legal settlements after sexual relationships with women who were unaware of his true identity were exposed. Kennedy was similarly found to have abused women during his undercover work, drawing severe criticism and tribunal rulings condemning his actions as abuses of power.

These historical abuses, combined with the current revelations at Charing Cross, underline systemic issues within parts of the Metropolitan Police that civil rights campaigners and watchdogs have long warned about. The Independent Office for Police Conduct’s ongoing investigations seek to restore accountability, but the public’s trust remains fragile. The Metropolitan Police’s commitment to rooting out misconduct will be closely scrutinised as further details emerge from these investigations.

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Source: Noah Wire Services