COPS BREAK THE LAW

12-12-2006

Huge embarrassment for the police after it emerged that the Metropolitan force in London wasillegally phone-tapping it's own officers. The Met was listeningto members of The National Black Police Association in conversation with their legal officer Ali Dizaei. Our own ex-copper John Mellor reckons those responsible should feel the full weight of the law.

So it's been revealed that the Metropolitan police unlawfully tapped the phone of Chief Superintendent Ali Dizaei, one of Britain's most senior ethnicminority police officers at least, 3,500 times.

Dizaei was being investigated over corruption charges which proved to be utterly unfounded; but now it emerges that those responsible for the bugging were breaking the laws themselves - the conversations they were eavesdropping on were legally privileged, and sothey had no right to listen.

The Metropolitan PoliceAuthority are urgently examining the findings of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal which made the ruling. Good.

For one thing, there's a worrying suggestion that the Met - one accused of “institutional racism” over the Stephen Lawrence enquiry - was trying to undermine cases of racial discrimination being brought against it by serving officers.

There's also the fact that this isn't the first something like this has happened; Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair had to apologise after it was revealed he'd been secretly recording conversation with the Attorney General.

As far as the Dizaei case goes, the officers concerned were committing a criminal offence, their supervisors were guilty of inadequate supervision and in clear breach of the Police Discipline code. Rank brings its rewards and also its RESPONSIBILITIES

It is significant that Mr Dizaei, was not charged with any misconduct , not even a breach of disciplinary rules. Others can not say the same and must face the consequences.