London’s Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, expressed his profound disgust and dismay upon viewing footage featuring certain Metropolitan Police officers at the Charing Cross station, which was revealed in a BBC Panorama documentary. The undercover report depicted current members of the Met making alarming remarks about shooting immigrants, boasting about their use of violence, and displaying a dismissive attitude toward reports of rape.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood characterized the footage as “disturbing” and “sickening,” also noting that it revealed officers making inappropriate sexual remarks to colleagues and expressing racist sentiments regarding immigrants and Muslims.
In response to these revelations, Sir Mark Rowley, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, issued an apology for the “reprehensible and completely unacceptable” conduct showcased in the footage. Following the documentary’s airing, he sent a letter to the mayor and home secretary that outlined several “immediate actions” the police force has implemented, including dismantling the custody team at Charing Cross and enacting changes in senior leadership in West London.
Sir Mark stated that all individuals implicated in the scandal would face expedited hearings within weeks, likely leading to their dismissal. Upon receiving a comprehensive list of allegations from the BBC, the Met suspended eight officers and one staff member, while also removing two additional officers from front-line roles.
Mina Smallman, whose two daughters were murdered and whose case has previously highlighted police misconduct, told BBC’s Newsnight that she was not surprised by the allegations. Earlier this year, two officers were imprisoned for sharing graphic images of her daughters’ remains via WhatsApp. “When individuals feel safe and their defenses are down, their true selves emerge,” she remarked, adding that genuine transformation within the Met would take considerable time, as the problematic behavior has long been entrenched.
Sir Sadiq emphasized that “sexism, racism, misogyny, and excessive force” are unacceptable within law enforcement. He indicated that he had convened with the police commissioner to discuss the implications of the BBC’s findings on public trust and confidence in the police. Prior to the documentary’s release, he stated that immediate reforms were being implemented at Charing Cross and throughout the Met, with additional measures forthcoming. The mayor expressed confidence in Sir Mark’s commitment to addressing misconduct within the ranks.
The home secretary welcomed the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in taking swift action to investigate the issues highlighted in the report. She supported the Met’s condemnation of the documented behavior and their promise to eliminate unqualified personnel from the force. “We have empowered chiefs to dismiss officers who fail background checks and hold those guilty of serious misconduct accountable, and we fully expect these powers to be exercised,” Mahmood asserted.
Before having viewed the documentary, Sir Mark commented that when there is undeniable proof of misconduct, it’s probable that the officers involved would be terminated within a matter of weeks. He noted that officers who engage in such reprehensible and criminal behavior betray the trust of the communities they serve and raise doubts over the safety and dignity of individuals in custody. “For that, I sincerely apologize,” he said.
The Liberal Democrats termed the findings “beyond appalling,” asserting that the public and the majority of diligent police officers are being let down by such behavior. Luke Taylor MP, the party’s spokesperson for London, called for the Home Secretary to intervene decisively to address this troubling conduct.
Paula Dodds, chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, condemned any form of discriminatory behavior, asserting that it is entirely unacceptable in policing and society. She stressed the importance of representation and due process for all officers, cautioning against a media trial.
Rachel Watson, head of the IOPC, expressed her shock at the revelations from Panorama, insisting that such actions are intolerable within policing. She confirmed that an investigation is already in process and expressed hope that the BBC would share its evidence to facilitate a thorough and swift inquiry.
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 while Sir Mark is seen as a reformer, the situation presents significant challenges for him. “The speed of change must be evident to the people of London if trust is to be restored,” she stressed.
Former Detective Superintendent Shabnam Chaudhri conveyed her deep disappointment, stating “Policing is in my blood,” and emphasized feeling a profound sense of shame for having previously served as a police officer while observing the disturbing conduct revealed in the documentary.
