Whistleblower James Patrick: Metropolitan Police PC

Police Whistleblower Phones Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe [that name again] On LBC

Whistleblower speaks out after Scotland Yard says he faces gross misconduct charges over crime statistic comments

A police whistleblower who accused the Metropolitan Police of manipulating crime figures to meet performance targets has spoken out after it was revealed he now faces charges of gross misconduct.

Pc James Patrick, who is already facing a disciplinary hearing, could be placed on a public register of disgraced officers as part of a new 'struck off list' to be created by the College of Policing.

He alleged that crimes such as burglary and rape had been wrongly downgraded or written off to meet performance targets.

This week the Met said the overall number of reported crimes in London had fallen by 6.2 per cent in the last financial year.

Met chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe admitted Pc Patrick's claims about crime statistics were at least "partially true" during an appearance in front of MPs at the Commons Public Administration Committee in January.

But he added the allegations were a serious concern and that an inquiry was still continuing.

The latest accusations against Pc Patrick relate to interviews which the officer gave to the BBC on Monday, according to a report by Channel 4 News.

His appearances on The One Show on April 9 and on BBC Radio 5 on April 10 were given "without the appropriate authority", the Met said in a letter to the officer.

Despite announcing his resignation from the force in March, which is due to come into effect on May 9, he could still be dismissed retrospectively under new measures outlined by Home Secretary Theresa May.

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Pc Patrick's local MP Bernard Jenkin told Channel 4 News he thought the officer had been treated "very unfairly", adding; "This is an indication of the police leadership in denial."

In an open letter to Hogan-Howe published on his blog today, Pc Patrick said the impact of Scotland Yard's actions on his family had been "devastating".

He added he wanted to be left "alone" to contest allegations against him at a tribunal.

He wrote: "A reasonable person might well ask questions about the motivation of this new action. Another reasonable person might simply see it is as vindictive.

"Another might see that you could make a finding in my absence, after I’ve left, and have me added to the College of Policing struck off list – a permanent tarnish for all future employment.

"Someone like my wife, who has been on the receiving end of the Met for a long time now, might burst into tears and be scared witless of what else you will do."

He continued: "Personally, I am just tired and, while I will continue to fight my battles in the Tribunal, I just want the Met to leave my family and I alone: you have done enough to us. More than enough.

"As anyone who saw the One Show would know, the effect on my family has already been devastating and I have walked away from a job I love, and have loved, for the best part of a decade."

A spokesman for Scotland Yard confirmed it was investigating Pc Patrick for allegations of potential misconduct but would not comment further.

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