Paddick 'considering his position' after charges are dropped

Britain's most controversial police chief said yesterday that he was considering his future after he was cleared of serious wrongdoing for allowing a former boyfriend to smoke cannabis at his home.

The decision not to bring disciplinary charges against Commander Brian Paddick, 43, is seen as a vindication of his position that he did nothing wrong and claims that he has been treated unfairly.

Mr Paddick, Britain's most senior openly gay officer, may now ask to be returned from Scotland Yard headquarters to the south London borough of Lambeth, where he introduced a groundbreaking scheme to liberalise the police response to the possession of small amounts of cannabis. He declined to comment on whether he would sue the police or demand his old job back.

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) announced yesterday that Mr Paddick would not face a tribunal but the authority has sent his solicitor a letter saying it believes he made an "error of judgement" on three counts connected to his private life. Mr Paddick continues to deny that he has fallen below the service's professional standards.

The officer was moved from his post as commander of Lambeth to a desk job in March after allegations by the former boyfriend that he smoked at least 100 joints and allowed his ex-partner to take cannabis.

The case has been hugely controversial for the Metropolitan Police and led to accusations that Mr Paddick has been targeted by the right-wing press and conservative elements in the police, who were opposed to him because of his homosexuality and liberal approach to cannabis.

Mr Paddick was cleared of criminal wrongdoing last month after a police inquiry.

After the police authority announcement, Mr Paddick said he would discuss his future with Sir John Stevens, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. The letter sent by the police authority's conduct committee is believed to say that Mr Paddick made an "error of judgement" on three counts in relation to his former boyfriend James Renolleau: he should not have allowed Mr Renolleau to smoke cannabis in his flat; he should have taken action to deal with his "criminality", and he should have followed police rules and informed a senior officer that he was living with someone who was on bail.

Despite the slap on the wrist – to which Mr Paddick has yet to respond – no formal disciplinary action is being taken.

Mr Paddick said: "The [police authority] committee wanted me to know that they felt I had made an error of judgement. I'm still considering my position. I hope to discuss my future with the Commissioner."

A police authority spokeswoman said: "Commander Paddick has been advised about his future conduct in respect of the issues raised in the report."

She added: "We have provided feedback and comment to Commander Paddick. The matter is now closed."

Mr Paddick was recently appointed to implement the National Intelligence Model, the Met's latest blueprint for reducing crime, but supporters have called for him to be reinstated in Lambeth.

He was responsible for introducing a drugs trial in Lambeth in which people caught with small amounts of cannabis were let off with a verbal warning. A more robust scheme is to be introduced nationally next year.