NINE cops at Britain’s busiest police station have been suspended over allegations of racist, homophobic and misogynist conduct, The Sun can reveal.
It follows an undercover investigation by a BBC reporter who obtained a job as a civilian detention worker in the custody suite at Charing Cross police station, in Central London.
AlamySearches of lockers were carried out and computer equipment and phones were seized[/caption]
AlamyAllegations of using excessive force on prisoners are also being investigated[/caption]
The investigative reporter secretly recorded the Met officers allegedly making offensive remarks at the station and while socialising after work.
Allegations of using excessive force on prisoners are also being investigated.
Yesterday, the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) effectively sealed off an entire floor of the landmark police station, just off The Strand.
Searches of lockers were carried out and computer equipment and phones were seized by DPS officers.
The scandal has rocked the Met’s top brass and Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley is being kept informed of developments.
It follows a previous separate investigation at the same police station launched in 2018 into “disgraceful” messages exchanged between cops.
On that occasion 14 officers were investigated and two were dismissed.
And two others resigned, with several more having misconduct allegations upheld.
Following that scandal the Independent Office for Police Conduct made 15 recommendations to prevent anything similar happening again.
The Met promised the proposals “will drive forward lasting change.”
But The Sun can reveal how the undercover BBC reporter allegedly taped officers making offensive remarks while working at the station after passing vetting to get a job there.
A source said: “The reporter recorded officers talking among themselves at the station and in the pub after work.
“The officers are said to have made racist, homophobic and misogynist comments.
“It is unclear how bad the comments are but the DPS went into the station on Thursday and effectively took over an entire floor.”
The Met called in the IOPC after being notified by the BBC earlier this week about the material obtained from the covert probe.
Investigators from the watchdog are leading the inquiry.
Assistant Commissioner of the Met, Matt Twist, responded to the allegations in a statement on Friday evening.
“As a result of information received on September 9 2025, enquiries were immediately launched by our Directorate of Professional Standards into allegations of criminality and misconduct by officers and staff based at Charing Cross Police Station,” he said.
“The behaviour as reported is disgraceful and nine officers were suspended within twenty-four hours of the allegations being assessed and another two officers have been removed from frontline duties.
“Rapid steps to secure evidence and protect the public have also been taken. We asked the IOPC to look at this and welcome their decision to take on the investigation.”
“We are also taking immediate steps to dismantle the current custody team at this station, significantly changing the leadership in our custody command and the Westminster leadership team.”
He added that this was an “exceptional reset” that will ensure “high standards”.
“In addition, we are scrutinising more widely the leadership and culture within these teams, led by Professional Standards and senior leaders, to root out any further failings.
“The leadership of these teams failed to create the right culture that identified warning signs or generated confidence in junior colleagues to report. This is one of the reasons we are taking such assertive exceptional action.”
The statement went on to add that “good officers” had stepped forward over the last three years with “reports increasing threefold” that helped the force triple the rate of those exited.
AlamyThe IOPC this afternoon revealed the probe relates to the behaviour of 11 current and former officers[/caption]
AlamyThe latest scandal also comes as the Met tries to purge the force of ‘rotten apples’[/caption]
“The Met’s leadership has been very clear that it will not tolerate behaviour that fails to meet the organisation’s standards of professionalism and integrity. We have already taken immediate action and this will continue over the coming days as we assess the full implications,” the statement continued.
“We will be relentless, leaving no stone unturned, in removing people who have no place in the Met.
“I would encourage anyone who has any information on corrupt and improper behaviour by Met officers or staff to contact the Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Line.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan – in charge of overseeing policing in the capital – is also said to have been informed.
The IOPC this afternoon revealed the probe relates to the behaviour of 11 current and former officers and one staff member at Charing Cross.
The watchdog said: “Our investigation follows a mandatory conduct referral from the Met Police yesterday afternoon
“It relates to the conduct of 11 individuals – nine serving Met officers, a former Met officer and a serving designated detention officer.
“We have also received a referral from another force relating to the conduct of a former Met officer who was previously based at Charing Cross and has since transferred.”
The cops under investigation are constables and at least one sergeant.
The IOPC said: “The allegations include excessive use of force, making discriminatory and misogynistic comments, and failing to report or challenge inappropriate behaviour.
“They are alleged to have occurred both on and off duty between August 2024 and January 2025.
“The Met has advised us that it has suspended nine individuals.”
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe said: “These are concerning allegations involving a large number of individuals and we understand there will be public concern…
“… particularly in light of our previous investigation into similar allegations at the same police station.
“We want to reassure the public that we will carry out a robust, independent investigation.
“We understand the Met was alerted to these allegations by a third party and we have written to that party to request that it urgently provides us with information that will be central to our enquiries.
“Our priority at this stage is to secure all of the relevant evidence.”
The latest scandal also comes as the Met tries to purge the force of “rotten apples.”
Met boss Sir Mark order the crackdown after a 2023 report by Baroness Casey into culture and standards in the force following the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by firearms officer Wayne Couzens.
Baroness Casey concluded the Met was institutionally racist, homophobic and misogynist – a claim denied by Sir Mark.
PAIt follows an undercover investigation by a BBC reporter, who obtained a job as a civilian detention worker in the custody suite at Charing Cross police station[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
