Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has declared to the BBC that he has no intention of stepping down from his role, despite a Panorama investigation uncovering evidence of misogyny and racism within the police force.

In a conversation with BBC Radio London, he stated that the rumors of his resignation circulating within the Met originated from “the misogynists and racists who, quite frankly, wish to see me gone because they are the ones we are challenging.”

While acknowledging that various factors indicate the need to address systemic issues, he refrained from labeling these problems as institutional.

Rowley emphasized that the police force has made significant strides since he took on the position three years ago, although he recognized that there remains a “cancer that must be eradicated.”

Taking on his role after the murder of Sarah Everard — a crime committed by a serving officer — he previously promised to purge the Met of those who acted improperly.

He condemned the disturbing footage revealed by Panorama, captured through covert filming, as “repugnant,” branding the officers depicted as “appalling individuals.” In this footage, serving Met officers are seen advocating for violence against immigrants, celebrating excessive force, and being dismissive of sexual assault reports.

Rowley expressed his understanding that London residents would feel “upset and angry” about the “toxic attitudes” shown. Nevertheless, he noted that the Met has made “extraordinary strides” to eliminate such officers since the Casey Review, initiated after the crime committed by Wayne Couzens in 2021.

When pressed on whether he should acknowledge the review’s conclusion that the Met was institutionally racist and misogynistic, Rowley maintained that the Met is “well into the most extensive anti-corruption campaign that policing has ever experienced in this nation.”

He reported that almost 1,500 individuals have been dismissed from the Met, adding, “Londoners can trust that we will not relent until this is resolved.”

When questioned about taking personal accountability for the findings of the investigation and offering an apology, he stated he had expressed regret “multiple times” in his previous statements, asserting that he bears personal responsibility for “everything the Met undertakes.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged he had not yet viewed the BBC footage himself but described it as “shocking” based on available descriptions. He expressed satisfaction with Rowley’s response and urged him to take a “strong stance.”

Parm Sandhu, a former chief superintendent with the Met, criticized the force’s prospects of resolving the issues highlighted in the BBC investigation if it did not recognize it had “institutional problems.” Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme prior to Rowley’s interview, she expressed that the findings of Panorama did not surprise her, indicating that these problematic behaviors have been documented before yet ultimately ignored.

“They have been revealed previously, buried out of sight, and tolerated time and again, with promises to eliminate the toxic culture each time, only for it to resurface repeatedly,” Sandhu stated.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan remarked that the documentary illustrated racism, anti-Muslim animosity, misogyny, and criminal actions by officers, while affirming his “full confidence” in Rowley, asserting he was the “right individual to lead the necessary changes.”

However, Khan also inquired why it required investigative journalists to unveil this conduct, which he believed “let down” London, irrespective of the commissioner’s initiatives.

Khan described the Metropolitan Police as “institutionally racist,” “institutionally sexist,” and “institutionally homophobic,” terms which Rowley has not used to characterize the force.

Zoe Billingham, who served as Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary from 2009 to 2021, remarked on BBC Radio 4’s The World Tonight that Sir Mark is a “reforming” figure, but acknowledged that the revelations present a challenging situation for him.

“I believe the pace of change must now be evident to Londoners if we are to restore that vital trust,” she stated.