Ali Dizaei can challenge conviction

Controversial police chief Ali Dizaei has been given the go-ahead
to challenge his conviction for misconduct and perverting the course of
justice.

The former Scotland Yard commander was found guilty for a second time at a retrial in February.

Dizaei was first convicted of framing young businessman Waad al-Baghdadi in a street row in 2010 but the conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal a year later.

After the second trial he received a three-year prison sentence at London's Southwark Crown Court.

This was reduced by the 15 months he had already spent behind bars and he has been released.

Iranian-born Dizaei, from Acton, west London, was jailed for four years after being convicted of the same offences in February 2010.

He was sacked by the Metropolitan Police in May following internal disciplinary proceedings.

It was confirmed today that Dizaei has been granted permission to challenge his second conviction at the Court of Appeal.

No date has been fixed for a hearing, but it is expected to be in the autumn.

PA