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.

Sir Mark Rowley said it's 'absurd' that cops not fit to pass background checks cannot be dismissed, as Sergeant Lino Di Maria won a legal battle over removal of his vetting after sexual assault claims

The High Court has ruled the Metropolitan Police cannot dismiss officers by removing their vetting clearance. London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said the ruling has "significant implications for the work the Met is now doing to clean up the force.

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

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

Britain's most senior policeman said it was "absurd" that a court judgment handed down on Tuesday meant he could not sack serving officers who failed a vetting review, even if they had been accused of rape or other serious crimes.

The force defended a judicial review brought by a sergeant whose vetting was revoked following a series of unproven complaints about his conduct, including rape and sexual assault.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,