Policing in a ‘hopeless position’, Met chief warns after court rules officers cannot be sacked through vetting

Rogue Metropolitan Police officers facing allegations of rape and domestic abuse have had their vetting revoked, but cannot be sacked due to a High Court ruling, leaving chiefs powerless to remove them. Sir Mark Rowley warned that the force is in a “hopeless position” and will be appealing after an officer subject to multiple unproven allegations, including rape, successfully challenged the decision to remove his vetting. The officer, Sgt Lino Di Maria, denies the allegations and will be placed on paid leave, as the commissioner calls for urgent changes to address gaps in the law preventing efforts to improve standards in the wake of scandals like the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer.

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