"The allegations, which centre on Charing Cross police station in central London, are contained in a BBC Panorama documentary airing on Wednesday evening. The allegations have plunged the Met into crisis mode, with commissioner Sir Mark Rowley trying to contain the damage as well as showing he can cut out toxic cultures within Britain's largest force. Programme makers are yet to make public full details of what undercover filming reveal but the broad allegations were sent by them to police chiefs a fortnight ago."
"That has led to the suspension of nine serving officers and the police watchdog launching a major investigation, with one officer under criminal investigation. The Guardian understands the programme claims to have material in which an officer makes comments supportive of Robinson. Robinson is a former leader of the English Defence League and the monitoring group Hope Not Hate assesses him to be the best-known far-right extremist in Britain."
Allegations focus on Charing Cross police station and claim officers and civilian staff expressed support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson, used excessive force against detainees, and made anti-Muslim and anti-female comments. An undercover BBC reporter employed as civilian staff recorded material that formed the basis of the claims. Broad details were supplied to police chiefs about two weeks earlier. Nine serving officers have been suspended and the Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened a major investigation, with one officer subject to criminal inquiry. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has taken steps to manage the fallout and address toxic cultures.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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