A Metropolitan Police officer dubbed “Wayne Couzens 2” has been cleared of serious criminal charges after it emerged the female officer accusing him was an “alleged fantasist,” a misconduct hearing has revealed.
Cop Cleared After Shocking False Assault Claim
PC Alexander Watson was arrested following a claim from a female colleague who alleged she was sexually assaulted by a male officer in a case eerily compared to the Wayne Couzens scandal. Watson was quickly identified as the suspect, sparking intense media scrutiny.
However, a subsequent investigation found the allegations baseless. The female officer who brought the claim is now herself facing ongoing criminal proceedings, according to a Met Police misconduct report.
“Wayne Couzens 2” Tag Fuels Media Storm
The high-profile nature of the case led the Professional Standards Unit to inform Watson’s team of his arrest, charge, and remand. The internal investigation was dubbed “Wayne Couzens 2,” heightening pressure on the Met.
Though criminal charges against Watson were dropped, he still faced a misconduct hearing last month.
Misconduct Hearing: Inappropriate But Not Criminal
The panel found PC Watson acted “inappropriately” toward several younger female officers, creating discomfort through unwelcome comments about their appearance, clothes, and legs. In one instance, he reportedly told a mentee she was “attractive.”
“On multiple occasions PC Watson acted inappropriately, unwisely and in a manner which placed his needs above his responsibilities to his colleagues,” the panel said.
The hearing noted a clear “power imbalance” between Watson and the junior officers he mentored. Despite denying all allegations, he received a three-year written warning for his conduct — deemed unacceptable but not serious enough for dismissal.
Long Career Tarnished by False Allegations
PC Watson has served with the Metropolitan Police for 20 years, including with an undercover taskforce targeting county lines drug crimes. The panel acknowledged his “highly accomplished and experienced” profile and the severe toll the false accusations took on him.
“He had clearly suffered enormously as a result of the DPS investigation and the falsified allegation made against him, which he indicated had unleashed a tsunami,” the report stated.
