Ex-GMP Inspector Banned for Secret World Cup Job
A former Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer, Tariq Butt, has been barred from policing after secretly working at the Qatar 2022 World Cup while claiming a career break. The bombshell came following a probe by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and GMP’s Anti-Corruption Unit.
Gross Misconduct Uncovered at Disciplinary Hearing
The disciplinary panel ruled that Butt, who already resigned, would have been sacked for gross misconduct linked to dishonesty, confidentiality breaches, and discreditable conduct. The hearing, which wrapped on 19 September 2024, revealed
- Butt lied about taking a career break for childcare and travel.
- He failed to disclose his Qatar World Cup Safety & Security job to GMP.
- Accessed and emailed restricted police deployment documents to his personal account.
- Misled the Child Maintenance Service about his finances, hiding Qatari income.
IOPC Slams Butt’s Dishonesty and Recklessness
“Former Inspector Butt has shown a complete disregard for the rules and acted dishonestly for his own personal gain. He let down his colleagues and risked seriously undermining public confidence,” said Steve Noonan, IOPC Director of Operations.
“Police officers must get permission before taking paid secondary work to prevent conflicts of interest. Knowing this, Butt flouted every rule.”
Investigation Spanned Over Two Years, CPS Declined Charges
The IOPC probe began in September 2021 and ended in May 2022. The Crown Prosecution Service later confirmed no criminal charges would be brought against Butt. Despite this, the police have now officially barred him from law enforcement for good.
This case sends a sharp warning: police integrity is non-negotiable, and sneaky behaviour has serious consequences.
