The Metropolitan Police cannot dismiss officers by removing their vetting clearance, the High Court has ruled.
The judgement follows allegations of rape which were made against Sgt Lino Di Maria, who subsequently had his clearance reviewed and removed.
He applied to the court for judicial review, challenging the lawfulness of the Met’s decision to remove his vetting.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said the ruling had “significant implications for the work the Met is now doing to clean up the force”.
Mrs Justice Lang said in her ruling that 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.
“In my view, that anomaly could and should be resolved by regulations.”
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