Met chief fury as court blocks officers' sackings

The Metropolitan police vowed to keep scores of officers facing allegations including rape and sexual misconduct away from the public after the high court struck down its policy of sacking those who fail their vetting.

- Vikram Dodd

Sir Mark Rowley, commissioner of the Met, said the force had been left in a "hopeless position" after a test case brought by an officer facing unproven claims including rape.

The commissioner said he would pay to sideline the officers he viewed as unfit to serve by keeping them on special leave. The Guardian understands that this may cost the force up to £7m a year.

London's victims' commissioner, Claire Waxman, said women's safety had been put at risk by the ruling, and the government said it would consider rushing in new laws if the Met's appeal against the decision failed.

The ruling could in theory mean reinstating 96 police officers and staff who failed the new vetting scheme, and then either quit or were sacked, if they won a further appeal. More than 100 others are having their vetting reviewed, and a further 29 have lost their vetting status and face a dismissal hearing.

The scheme was introduced after the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard by Wayne Couzens, a serving officer, and the failure to identify the dangers of the Met officer David Carrick from carrying out attacks despite numerous unproven allegations against him.

Rowley attacked the Metropolitan police federation, which represents the rank and file, for bringing the case. It accused Rowley in effect of a misjudgment by trying to "operate outside the law".