Force has to reinstate officers and staff removed under scheme to remove their vetting launched in wake of Sarah Everard case

The Metropolitan police have been left in a “hopeless position” after they lost a high court case over whether they can oust officers and staff deemed unsuitable through enhanced vetting procedures, Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said.

The commissioner said it was “absurd” that officers not fit to hold vetting cannot be legally sacked, and called on the government to take action “as a matter of extreme urgency” as he tries to clean up the force.