Paddick urges commissioner to end smear campaign against him

Lawyers for Brian Paddick, the police commander who led a cannabis liberalisation experiment in London, have written to the Commissioner of the Metro-politan Police demanding an end to a smear campaign in which he has allegedly been described as "unstable" and "unpredictable".

It is also understood a police investigation into claims that Mr Paddick smoked cannabis has produced little or no evidence. He now looks certain to be cleared of any criminal charges, although he may yet be censured for minor disciplinary offences.

The letter to Sir John Stevens, a copy of which has been sent to the Metropolitan Police Authority, which oversees the running of the Met, is the latest development in what is rapidly becoming a damaging dispute at Scotland Yard. Mr Paddick was moved to a desk job from the south London borough of Lambeth after a former partner said he had smoked cannabis, a claim that the officer denies.

Mr Paddick's lawyers are understood to have told Sir John that a senior officer has been behind the alleged smears. The 43-year-old commander, who is Britain's most senior openly gay police officer, wants assurances that there will be no further slur on his reputation.

A spokeswoman for the MPA said: "We have received a letter which is currently being considered." Scotland Yard and Mr Paddick declined to comment.