Another Met officer dismissed after BBC Panorama investigation into Charing Cross scandal

Another Charing Cross police officer has been dismissed from the Met almost a year after BBC Panorama exposed inappropriate conduct in the force.

A total of 13 serving officers in the Metropolitan Police force have lost their jobs since an investigation was launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct in October. Investigations continue into the conduct of a further 15 members of police staff.

BBC Panorama published an undercover investigation into Charing Cross Station last year where officers were covertly filmed and seen calling for immigrants to be shot, boasting about excessive use of force and joking about rape and sexual assault.

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said at the time that this behaviour was “totally unacceptable”.

A hearing for PC Mason O’Connor took place on Tuesday following allegations that while off-duty in a pub on October 2024 he said to a female colleague: “I hope you get raped on your way to Waterloo”.

The matter was reported following Panorama’s documentary as part of a proactive wider investigation into any other concerns about officer conduct at Charing Cross.

The hearing found the allegation proven and that PC O’Connor breached standards of professional behaviour for authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity, and discreditable conduct.

It comes weeks after allegations were proven that PC Lloyd Hunter made comments that trivialised the use of force, suggested that he would enjoy using force on members of the public and that he “hated” homeless people.

A hearing took place for PC Hunter on 27 August after comments he made during an off-duty drink in November 2024 by the BBC.

Although not featured in the broadcast, extra unaired footage was later shared with the IOPC whose investigation into the behaviour of a number of officers at Charing Cross continues.

PC Hunter was found to have breached standards of professional behaviour for authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity, and discreditable conduct.

Commander Simon Messinger from professionalism, said: “Two more officers have now been dismissed for their appalling comments and attitudes.

“I hope this sends a very clear message about the standards we expect from all our officers and the Met’s determination to improve our culture across the organisation.

“We continue to support the ongoing IOPC investigation.”

Both officers will be added to the College of Policing’s barred list to prevent them re-joining policing or working for a number of other police-related bodies.