Met dismisses shamed police commander

Ali Dizaei was dismissed with immediate effect (Getty)

Disgraced senior officer Ali Dizaei was finally kicked out of policing today.

The 47-year-old commander has remained a police officer without powers at Scotland Yard since starting a four-year jail term for corruption.

But after considering his case at a secret meeting in central London today, the Metropolitan Police Authority dismissed him with immediate effect.

Speaking afterwards, James Cleverly, vice chairman of the Professional Standards Cases Sub-Committee, said: "The tribunal recommended that the only appropriate sanction was dismissal from the service.

"The sub-committee has accepted the tribunal's recommendation and has today dismissed Commander Dizaei from the Metropolitan Police Service with immediate effect.

"As far as the authority is concerned, this is the end of the matter."

Dizaei "failed to meet the appropriate standard of conduct", Mr Cleverly added.

Reading out a statement, Mr Cleverly said: "He was in breach of code eight of the code of conduct because he was convicted of two serious criminal offences."

Committee chairman Reshard Auladin excused himself from the meeting citing an unknown "conflict of interest."

But in a written statement he said integrity within the Met was "non-negotiable".

He added: "The authority is responsible both for senior officer discipline and police pension forfeiture.

"We take these responsibilities extremely seriously and discharge our duties meticulously and with the utmost probity."

He went on to say "it is now our job" to restore public confidence in senior police leaders.

The meeting examined the findings of a tribunal that took place behind closed doors last Friday under police regulations.

Dizaei is in jail in Usk, Monmouthshire, South Wales, after being found guilty of abusing his position to bully a younger businessman on February 8.

He assaulted and falsely arrested Iraqi Waad al-Baghdadi, 24, after asking for £600 he was owed for creating a website showcasing Dizaei's controversial career.

Dizaei has endured a torrid time since being jailed, including an attack in which he was knocked out and had a slop bucket poured over him.

The officer has announced he will appeal against both his conviction and sentence, but he has yet to say on what grounds.

Mr Auladin added: "We must make it quite clear to both public and our employees that systems are in place in the Met to deal with corruption... We must ensure that the minority of officers who are corrupt are dealt with effectively to maintain public confidence in the police service.

"The MPA has at all times moved swiftly but fairly to deal with this case, in accordance with the relevant police regulations and processes as dictated by the Home Office. It is now our job to help restore public confidence in senior police leaders."

Members of the MPA can also vote to order Dizaei to forfeit his substantial pension with powers handed to them under the Police Pensions Regulations 1987.

But first the Home Secretary must agree that his crimes were "gravely injurious to the interests of the State" or liable to lead to loss of confidence in police.

Meanwhile, negotiations have continued behind the scenes over how much Dizaei should contribute towards the case against him.

Prosecutors originally demanded more than £60,000 but his legal team argued he does not have the cash to meet the bill.