A serving Met officer and two former colleagues have been cleared of gross misconduct following the high-profile arrest of a drug dealer in Kensington back in 2018.
Seven Years of Investigations End Without Gross Misconduct Findings
“Officer M,” currently attached to Specialist Crime, along with former Detective Sergeant Michael Harding and Detective Constable Stephen Lane, were at the centre of controversy after a covert surveillance operation that led to a man’s arrest and a major drugs seizure.
Despite allegations, none of the three officers was found guilty of gross misconduct. However, two of the retired officers were reprimanded for sharing images and video footage of the arrest with family and friends, an act branded as professional misconduct.
Detective Chief Superintendent Rick Sewart commented: “None of the three officers committed gross misconduct. This case has had a very long legal history, with former DS Harding acquitted of criminal charges after nearly eight years. We welcome the government’s progress toward a fairer and faster police accountability system.”
The Arrest That Sparked It All
- On 15 May 2018, officers were on covert surveillance targeting drug dealing.
- A man in his 30s was caught with around half a kilo of cocaine.
- The man fled after being stopped, leading to a vehicle collision during the chase.
- Former DS Harding’s car swerved onto the pavement, hitting the man and a cyclist.
- The man suffered serious injuries, including a head wound and broken bones.
Allegations surfaced that Harding drove dangerously and deliberately to cause harm. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated after a complaint, passing the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Criminal Charges Dropped, Misconduct Claims Unproven
Harding was charged with causing grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving in December 2022. However, in March 2025, the CPS offered no evidence, and Harding was formally found not guilty.
The IOPC investigation had also accused the trio of colluding to mislead investigators through inaccurate statements. The recent hearing found these claims not proven.
Misconduct Over Sharing Footage
Two former officers admitted to breaches of professional standards by sharing footage and photos of the incident with family members. Since both are retired and the violations were misconduct rather than gross misconduct, no sanctions were applied.
The hearing concluded that all three officers upheld most professional standards concerning use of force, honesty, and confidentiality, with only minor misconduct by Harding and Lane over discreditable conduct.
