The scandal of alleged racism which has engulfed Scotland Yard took yet another twist tonight, as Channel 4 News’s Home Affairs Correspondent Simon Israel reports exclusively.
Channel 4 News has learnt that a senior Metropolitan police officer has been suspended over allegations that he subjected a black man to serious racial abuse. The incident is said to have taken place on a street in Barnet, North London on the morning of Monday 23 April.
The Metropolitan Police, in a statement to Channel 4 News, said the officer was arrested the following day on suspicion of racial abuse and has now been suspended.
The Met said that the officer is currently on police bail pending the outcome of the criminal investigation by the force’s directorate of professional standards.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) told Channel 4 News that it is now supervising the investigation.
There are now 12 Metropolitan Police officers under investigation over allegations of racism.
Last week a police constable was charged for allegedly using the word ‘n***er’ during the arrest of a young black student in the London borough of Newham.
The arrest of the inspector is the first new case to be referred to the IPCC as part of new arrangements under which the police watchdog intends to scrutinise how the Met handles complaints of racism.