The Met’s response to Charing Cross Panorama
A recent BBC Panorama programme - Undercover in the Police - sent shockwaves around the capital after it showed evidence of misogyny, racism and allegations of inappropriate use of force at Charing Cross police station.
The programme filmed officers at the station:
- Making sexualised comments
- Displaying misogynistic attitudes
- Expressing racist, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim views
- Concealing real opinions – being wary of the Met’s Department of Professional Standards and cautious when talking to new colleagues
- “Revelling in the use of force”
- Warning against using force that could be captured on CCTV
- Joking about disciplinary complaints1
The Met confirmed that “within 48 hours of these allegations being received, nine officers and one staff member had been suspended, with two more officers removed from frontline duties”.2
Tomorrow, the Police and Crime Committee will question the Met and the Deputy Mayor about the programme, what work is being done to change the culture at the Met since the Casey Review in 2023, and how the Met will work to build trust and confidence with Londoners.
The Committee will also question guests on recent protests in the capital.
The guests are:
- Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime
- Sir Mark Rowley QPM, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police
The meeting will take place on Thursday 16 October 2025 from 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- Secret BBC filming exposes hidden culture of racism and misogyny inside Met Police - BBC News
- Statement in relation to this evening's BBC Panorama | Metropolitan Police
- Marina Ahmad AM, Chair of the Police and Crime Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Police and Crime Committee.
- Read the agenda in full.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Tony Smyth in the Assembly Media Office on 07763 251727 or [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.