Met Police Sergeant Charged With Perverting Justice in Wake of BBC Undercover Probe at Charing Cross

A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with perverting the course of justice, becoming the first individual to face criminal proceedings as a direct consequence of a BBC Panorama investigation into alleged misconduct at a London custody suite.

Sgt Sadiq Al-Hasani, 37, was charged on 13 August in connection with an incident that took place on 2 October 2025, according to the Met Police. The charge arises from an allegation that the officer, who was attached to the Central West Command Unit, "deliberately sought to discourage another officer from making a statement to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)," the force said in a statement.

The 37-year-old is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. He remains suspended from duty, the Met confirmed.

The IOPC, which oversees police conduct complaints in England and Wales, said Sgt Al-Hasani allegedly approached a junior officer who had been identified as a potential key witness in the broader Charing Cross investigation. The alleged approach was made "with the intention to obstruct or interfere with the probe," the watchdog said.

The undercover programme, titled "BBC Panorama – Undercover in the Police," was broadcast on 1 October 2025. For the documentary, a BBC journalist worked covertly inside the custody suite at Charing Cross police station in central London, secretly recording multiple officers. The footage captured officers making racist remarks and boasting about violence inflicted on suspects.

The broadcast prompted a mandatory conduct referral from the Met to the IOPC on 3 October, one day after the incident that led to the charge against Sgt Al-Hasani. The IOPC subsequently launched its own investigation, reviewing footage gathered during the programme that had not been aired publicly.

That investigation concluded in June, at which point the watchdog referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which ultimately authorised the charge against Sgt Al-Hasani.

According to the IOPC, 15 officers have been found to have committed gross misconduct as part of the wider inquiry. All but one of those 15 — a former police constable — have been barred from policing. Investigations remain ongoing into the conduct of a further 14 officers or police staff members.

The case underscores the significant legal and professional consequences that can follow high-profile media exposés of alleged misconduct within Britain's largest police force. Perverting the course of justice is a serious common law offence that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, reflecting the gravity with which the justice system treats attempts to obstruct or mislead investigations.

Legal analysts note that charges of this nature against a serving officer are relatively rare, particularly when they stem from an allegation of interfering with a potential witness. Such cases can hinge on communications evidence, including messages, call records, and witness testimony, all of which may become central to the prosecution's case.

The Metropolitan Police has faced sustained scrutiny in recent years over its internal culture, with a series of reviews and high-profile incidents raising questions about accountability and the handling of misconduct allegations. The Charing Cross investigation has added further pressure, touching on sensitive issues including racism and excessive force within custody settings.

The IOPC's decision to refer evidence to the CPS followed a lengthy review process that included examination of unbroadcast material. This step is taken only when the watchdog believes there is sufficient evidence to consider criminal charges, and the CPS then independently determines whether prosecution is appropriate.

For the officers found to have committed gross misconduct, the consequences have been severe. Gross misconduct findings typically lead to dismissal from the force and placement on a barred list, preventing re-employment in policing. The fact that 14 of the 15 individuals have been barred underscores the seriousness with which disciplinary panels have treated the findings.

The ongoing investigations into a further 14 officers or staff members suggest that the fallout from the Panorama broadcast is far from concluded. Those inquiries could result in additional disciplinary proceedings, criminal referrals, or both.

Sgt Al-Hasani's court appearance will be an initial hearing, at which the charge will be formally put to him and arrangements for future proceedings will be set out. Magistrates' courts handle the early stages of criminal cases, and depending on the nature of the charge and the evidence, the matter could be sent to the Crown Court for trial.

The case also raises broader questions about witness protection and the willingness of junior officers to come forward with information in misconduct investigations. The IOPC's account suggests that a junior officer was approached in an attempt to deter them from providing a statement, a scenario that watchdogs argue can undermine the integrity of internal probes if not addressed swiftly.

The Met has not commented beyond confirming the charge and the officer's suspension. The force has previously said it takes allegations of misconduct seriously and cooperates with independent oversight bodies.

The BBC has not disclosed the identity of the undercover journalist involved in the programme, citing safety and professional considerations. The broadcast itself has been cited by the IOPC as a catalyst for its review of previously unseen footage, which formed part of the evidence considered in the case.

As the criminal proceedings get under way, attention will likely remain focused on the wider Charing Cross investigation and the outcomes of the remaining inquiries. The charge against Sgt Al-Hasani represents the first criminal consequence of a probe that has already ended the careers of multiple officers and prompted a reckoning within one of the Met's busiest command units.

The case is due to return to court on Wednesday, when further details of the allegation are expected to be outlined.