Sgt Di Maria joined the police in 2004, passed his last vetting clearance in 2017 but that expired some months ago. He remains in the force on special leave and will go through a vetting renewal process in accordance with College of Policing guidance.

In a dramatic High Court ruling, the Metropolitan Police's power to dismiss officers by revoking vetting clearance has been deemed illegal

The Metropolitan Police cannot dismiss officers by removing their vetting clearance, the High Court has ruled.

Sir Mark Rowley called on Government action after a High Court ruling that the force cannot sack officers by removing their vetting.

The force defended a judicial review brought by a sergeant whose vetting was revoked following a series of unproven complaints about his conduct, including rape and sexual assault. He denies the allegations and has not been charged with,