Met vetting scandal: Lib Dems call on Conservatives to apologise for putting targets over public safety

EMBARGO: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Commenting on recent revelations that the Metropolitan Police wrongly hired over 100 police officers after relaxing vetting standards, Lib Dem London Spokesperson Luke Taylor MP said:

“This is a staggering dereliction of duty that further undermines trust in our police and has even potentially put members of the public at risk.

“It is a betrayal to victims who have already suffered at the hands of some of these officers and a kick in the teeth for the vast majority of hard-working officers whose reputations are being dragged through the mud by these systemic failures.

“Let's not forget that the previous Conservative Government failed the public by putting targets for the number of officers over public safety and should apologise.

“We cannot continue with business as usual. The Met must urgently review the position of every officer recruited without proper checks and expel any officer that doesn’t meet standards.” 

ENDS