A serving Metropolitan Police sergeant has been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice following an undercover BBC Panorama investigation that captured colleagues making racist and sexist remarks.
The footage, filmed at Charing Cross police station, appears to show officers calling for immigrants to be shot and boasting about using violence against suspects. The sergeant was arrested on 2 October and has since been bailed and suspended from duty.
The Met confirmed the arrest is linked to matters disclosed in the BBC documentary. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine stated: “Professional standards officers immediately acted to make the arrest and the officer has been suspended from duty.”
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is also investigating nine serving officers, one former officer and one detention officer for gross misconduct over allegations including excessive force and discriminatory comments.
The documentary footage reportedly shows PC Phil Neilson saying an immigrant who overstayed his visa should be shot or deported, while PC Martin Borg bragged about a colleague stamping on a detainee’s leg and offered to falsify a witness statement.
