Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, has stated he will not resign following the release of undercover BBC Panorama footage showing racist, misogynistic, and violent behaviour at Charing Cross police station. Describing the footage as 'vile to watch', Rowley acknowledged it provided 'incontrovertible evidence' to support fast-track dismissal for the officers involved.
The footage, recorded by an undercover reporter, captures officers making discriminatory remarks and bragging about excessive force. One officer, PC Phil Neilson, suggested shooting an immigrant who overstayed his visa, while another, PC Martin Borg, boasted about a colleague stamping on a detainee's leg. Nine serving officers, one former officer, and one civilian detention officer are under investigation for gross misconduct by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for a 'very robust' response to the revelations. Rowley, however, rejected claims that the Met is institutionally racist or misogynist, insisting that the force is 'on top' of the problem. He noted that nearly 1,500 officers have been expelled in the last three years, and that counter-terrorism tactics are being used to identify 'corrupt and toxic networks'.
Rowley attributed calls for his resignation to the very officers he is targeting, stating: 'Those are the misogynist and racist [officers], frankly, who want me out because it’s them who we are taking on.' He emphasised that the Met is 'partway through a determined effort' to clean up the force, and that resigning would undermine that progress.
