The Metropolitan Police is facing a fresh scandal after a BBC investigation uncovered allegations of excessive force, discriminatory language, and support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson within a central London police station.
The revelations, set to be broadcast in a BBC Panorama documentary, have prompted a major criminal and misconduct investigation, leading to the suspension of nine officers and one member of staff.
Watchdog Launches Major Probe
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it has launched a large-scale investigation into the behaviour of 11 individuals connected to Charing Cross police station. Those under investigation include nine serving police officers, one former officer, and a serving designated detention officer.
In a significant development, the IOPC announced that one of the serving constables is now the subject of a criminal investigation on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. While the case against one officer has been dropped, the remaining cases are being treated as potential gross misconduct.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe stated, “We are treating this matter extremely seriously and have a team of investigators carrying out enquiries.” She confirmed the watchdog has obtained a “significant amount of CCTV” from the station’s custody suite and is now in the process of contacting members of the public who were allegedly involved.
Allegations of Abuse and Bigotry
The allegations, which are said to have occurred both on and off duty between August 2024 and January 2025, include:
- Excessive use of force against suspects in custody, including a youngster.
- Discriminatory and misogynistic comments.
- Anti-Muslim remarks.
- Expressions of support for the far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
- Failing to report or challenge inappropriate behaviour.
The scandal has plunged the Met into a fresh crisis, posing a severe challenge to Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who was appointed in 2022 with a mandate to root out toxic behaviour and restore public trust.
History Repeats at Notorious Station
This is not the first time Charing Cross police station has been at the centre of a disgrace. A damning IOPC report in 2022 revealed “disgraceful” behaviour by officers based there, including participation in a homophobic, racist, and misogynistic WhatsApp group. That scandal contributed to the ousting of the then-Commissioner, Dame Cressida Dick.
In response to the new allegations, the Met has taken immediate action. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said the force was taking “immediate steps to dismantle the current custody team at this station,” and has significantly changed the leadership of its custody command and the Westminster leadership team.
“The allegations we have been made aware of… if true, are disgraceful and will shock the public,” a Met spokesperson said.
The force, along with the IOPC, is currently operating without the full evidence gathered by the BBC and hopes it will be shared after the Panorama broadcast.
As a result of an internal appeal for information, the IOPC has already been contacted by a number of former Charing Cross staff with new information, suggesting the scale of the problem may be wider than initially known. With Commissioner Rowley cancelling engagements to manage the fallout, the Met braces for another profound test of its integrity and leadership.
