The High Court has ruled the Metropolitan Police cannot dismiss officers by removing their vetting clearance.

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said the ruling has “significant implications for the work the Met is now doing to clean up the force.”


Justice Lang said: “In my judgment, the defendant’s powers do not extend to the dismissal of a police officer by reason of withdrawal of vetting clearance.

“Dismissal is a matter which should be provided for in regulations made by the Secretary of State. This results in an anomalous situation where officers who do not have basic vetting clearance cannot be dismissed by the defendant.”

New Scotland Yard

The Met Police

PA

Sadiq Khan

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan

PA

She continued: “In my view, that anomaly could and should be resolved by regulations.”

More to follow…