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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/feb/11/metropolitan-police-enhanced-vetting-officers-high-court
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| Court rules against Metropolitan police crackdown on officers | Court rules against Metropolitan police crackdown on officers |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Force faces having to reinstate officers and staff removed under scheme launched in wake of Sarah Everard case | |
| The Metropolitan police have lost a high court case over whether they can oust officers and staff deemed unsuitable through enhanced vetting procedures. | The Metropolitan police have lost a high court case over whether they can oust officers and staff deemed unsuitable through enhanced vetting procedures. |
| Scotland Yard had used the scheme, which effectively dismisses officers by removing their vetting clearance, to get rid of scores of staff, some of whom had faced allegations of sexual assault. | |
| It was launched after a series of scandals that had sapped public confidence, including the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard by the serving Met officer Wayne Couzens in 2021. | |
| But judges have ruled against the force after a challenge by the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers. | |
| The Met commissioner, Mark Rowley, who has publicly vowed to clean up the force, has been left furious by the judgment and will consider an appeal. Rowley believes the process is a vital part of the effort to root out bad or suspect officers. | The Met commissioner, Mark Rowley, who has publicly vowed to clean up the force, has been left furious by the judgment and will consider an appeal. Rowley believes the process is a vital part of the effort to root out bad or suspect officers. |
| The Met now has to reinstate those removed from the force after their vetting status was withdrawn, and those who left could be eligible for back pay. | The Met now has to reinstate those removed from the force after their vetting status was withdrawn, and those who left could be eligible for back pay. |
| Under the scheme, if the Met received adverse information about an officer or staff member, their vetting would be reviewed. Vetting essentially clears them to access sensitive information and work in sensitive roles. | Under the scheme, if the Met received adverse information about an officer or staff member, their vetting would be reviewed. Vetting essentially clears them to access sensitive information and work in sensitive roles. |
| If vetting approval is withdrawn, the staff member attends a gross incompetence hearing and can be dismissed. | If vetting approval is withdrawn, the staff member attends a gross incompetence hearing and can be dismissed. |
| The Met says more than 100 officers and staff have left the force after their vetting was called into question. | The Met says more than 100 officers and staff have left the force after their vetting was called into question. |
| More details soon … | More details soon … |