Overview

• Police said a serving sergeant based at Charing Cross was arrested on Thursday evening on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, then bailed and suspended from duty.
• The allegation relates to an incident at Charing Cross on 2 October that is linked to issues revealed by BBC Panorama’s undercover reporting.
• The Independent Office for Police Conduct has been notified and is independently investigating gross misconduct allegations involving nine serving officers, one former officer and a designated detention officer, including claims of excessive force, discriminatory remarks and failures to challenge misconduct.
• Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said professional standards officers acted immediately after the internal report and emphasized the Met’s commitment to rapid action.
• The Met has disbanded the Charing Cross custody team, while Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley denounced the programme’s footage and sought to reassure the public about the wider force.