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Met police to reform royal and political protection squads after Plebgate Met police to reform royal and political protection squads after Plebgate
(35 minutes later)
Police chiefs hope a radical reform of elite protection officers will stop the so-called Plebgate scandal ever happening again. Police chiefs hope a radical reform of elite protection officers will stop incidents like the so-called Plebgate scandal ever happening again.
The new shakeup of due to ’s protection officers will ensure those who guard the royal family, Downing Street and top politicians are prevented from remaining in their units for years on end. The shakeup will ensure those who guard the royal family, Downing Street and top politicians are prevented from remaining in their units for years on end.
Metropolitan police assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said unacceptable “pockets of behaviour” had built up and would be broken.Metropolitan police assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said unacceptable “pockets of behaviour” had built up and would be broken.
Scotland Yard has been embarrassed by allegations that officers at Buckingham Palace stole items confiscated from the visiting public.Scotland Yard has been embarrassed by allegations that officers at Buckingham Palace stole items confiscated from the visiting public.
Perhaps most infamously, the Plebgate affair led to the sacking of four officers for leaking details of then cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell’s clash with a police guard in Downing Street. The unit involved, the diplomatic protection group, will be affected by the reforms.Perhaps most infamously, the Plebgate affair led to the sacking of four officers for leaking details of then cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell’s clash with a police guard in Downing Street. The unit involved, the diplomatic protection group, will be affected by the reforms.
Rowley said: “You’ve seen the awful behaviour of a small number of officers – Operation Alice, which is our investigation into what went on at Downing Street – and there are one or two other current misconduct investigations such as the investigation linked to property seizures at Buckingham Palace.”Rowley said: “You’ve seen the awful behaviour of a small number of officers – Operation Alice, which is our investigation into what went on at Downing Street – and there are one or two other current misconduct investigations such as the investigation linked to property seizures at Buckingham Palace.”
Rowley, head of specialist operations, said people staying in the same role for years on end can lead to a “separate culture developing”. He said only a minority of protection officers had misbehaved.Rowley, head of specialist operations, said people staying in the same role for years on end can lead to a “separate culture developing”. He said only a minority of protection officers had misbehaved.
The reforms will see four protection commands merged into two, with money saved.The reforms will see four protection commands merged into two, with money saved.