Sir Mark Rowley

“ACCELERATED” misconduct hearings are being brought against 10 officers based at Charing Cross police station.

Under-fire Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said yesterday (Thursday) he had recommended speeding up the process after watching last week’s Panorama exposé.

A BBC undercover investigation revealed “appalling behaviour”, Sir Mark said, adding that the custody team had already been disbanded.

The show aired footage of senior and junior offices sharing misogynist and racist opinions and being dismissive of a rape claim.

Sir Mark’s statement added: “I have been very clear from the outset that I wanted to see all those responsible for this appalling behaviour facing gross misconduct hearings at the earliest opportunity. They have no place in the Met.

“We have worked together to deliver this uncompromising approach at greater speed than ever before and the hearings will take place by the end of the month.

“Londoners would expect nothing less and for those found responsible to be exited from the Met and off the payroll as soon as possible.

“Within 48 hours of the allegations being received from Panorama, nine officers and one staff member had been suspended, with two more officers removed from frontline duties. I am extremely grateful for the swift enquiries undertaken by the IOPC since the investigation was referred to them.”

He added: “We have since disbanded the custody team at Charing Cross, made changes to local leadership and have begun wider work to identify any other areas of concern in detention teams across the Met. More action will follow.”

Sir Mark has been under pressure to resign due to the latest toxic culture scandal at Charing Cross. In 2022, officers at the station were exposed for similar behaviours after sickening WhatsApp messages were leaked to the national press. Failure to get on top of the deep-rooted problem should be a resigning issue, Green Party London Assembly politician Zoe Garbett has said.

Sir Mark said the response to officers’ behaviour at Charing Cross police station came in the context of the “biggest corruption clear-out in British policing history”, which has seen more than 1,400 officers and staff leave the Met in the past three years.

He added: “Much more work will be required to redress the systemic, cultural, leadership and regulatory failings that have allowed misogyny, racism, anti-Muslim hate and a lack of public service ethos to put down deep roots. While there are no quick fixes, I will be relentless in working with the good majority of our people to bring this about.”