Two officers involved in controversial student protest arrests have disciplinary proceedings dropped
PC Calvin Lindsay and PC Thomas Barnes will return to work
Two officers who were cleared of wrongdoing after controversial arrests during the student protests in 2010 have had their disciplinary proceedings “permanently stayed”.
PC Calvin Lindsay and PC Thomas Barnes put through an application to the Metropolitan Police claiming to continue would be “an abuse of process”.
Both officers were found not guilty of perverting the course of justice in 2015 in relation to an incident where a student had part of his teeth knocked out during the anti-tuition fees protests in 2010.
PC Andrew Ott was given a custodial sentence for his role in the incident and PC Lindsay and PC Barnes were accused of perverting the course of justice after accusations they tried to cover up the incident.
The officers were accused of allowing a male to be detained, interviewed and bailed for an offence they knew he didn’t commit.
This behaviour let to accusations of a breach of Standards of Professional Behaviour, in respect of Honesty and Integrity, and Discreditable Conduct.
A misconduct panel argued the officers had been cleared of the crimes and there had been no new evidence to suggest the need for further disciplinary proceedings.
There was also the argument the incident had occurred long ago and hadn’t been met in a timely manner.
“The alleged incident happened five years and nine months before the misconduct hearing and the officers recollection of the events would not be as sharp as if the matter had been dealt with in a timely manner,” Scotland Yard said in a statement.
Both officers will now return to their full duties.