Met Police Officers Under Investigation After Racist, Sexist Remarks in BBC Documentary
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned as "shocking" the behavior of Metropolitan Police officers who were secretly filmed making racist and sexist comments in a BBC Panorama documentary. The footage, gathered undercover at a central London police station, appears to show officers calling for immigrants to be shot and bragging about using violence against suspects. Starmer said he had not yet seen the footage but had it described to him, adding that he was glad Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley was responding to the allegations.
Sir Mark Rowley expressed horror at the documentary's findings, acknowledging that the footage would cause the public to question their trust in the Metropolitan Police. The commissioner told LBC radio that the force was "relentless in rooting out these characters" while assuring Londoners they could trust the "vast majority" of officers. He described the behavior shown in the documentary as "ghastly" and "reprehensible," noting clear evidence of racism, misogyny, and officers "relishing in using excess force."
Nine serving officers, one former officer, and one civilian detention officer are now under investigation for gross misconduct by the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The allegations include excessive use of force, making discriminatory and misogynistic comments, and failing to report or challenge inappropriate behavior. One constable is facing a criminal investigation in connection with the incidents captured in the documentary.
Commissioner Rowley revealed that the Metropolitan Police had been pressing the BBC for the footage before it aired but had been denied access. He stated that some of the content shown in the documentary would be sufficient on its own to bring officers to fast-track misconduct hearings. The commissioner emphasized that both police leadership and rank-and-file officers share the public's horror at the behavior exposed in the Panorama investigation.
