Met sergeant is to appear in court Wednesday accused of trying to block Panorama misconduct inquiry

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.

New Scotland Yard, headquarters of the Metropolitan Police. Sergeant Sadiq Al-Hasani, 37, has been charged with perverting justice after allegedly approaching a junior officer to discourage them from giving a statement…

Sgt Sadiq Al-Hasani, 37, becomes the first person charged as a result of the undercover BBC investigation that exposed racist and violent behaviour by officers at Charing Cross station. Al-Hasani allegedly approached a junior colleague — a potential key witness — the day after the Panorama broadcast aired, intending to stop them giving a statement to the police watchdog. He was charged with perverting the course of justice on 13 August and remains suspended from duty pending Wednesday's Westminster Magistrates' Court appearance.

The Panorama programme, broadcast in October 2025, showed officers making racist comments and bragging about violence used against suspects.

Fifteen Charing Cross officers have already been found guilty of gross misconduct, and all but one have been barred from policing for life.

A further 14 Met officers and staff remain under active IOPC investigation, meaning the scandal is far from over for the force.

The TelegraphMet officer charged over Charing Cross police scandal - The Telegraph The IndependentCharing Cross police station sergeant accused of perverting the course of justice after Panorama sting BBC News - EnglandMet Police officer charged over Charing Cross investigation Evening StandardMet officer charged after probe into alleged misconduct at Charing Cross station uk.news.yahoo.comMet officer charged after Panorama investigation into alleged misconduct at Charing Cross station - uk.news.yahoo.com RayoMet officer charged as part of Charing Cross investigation - Rayo

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