Met vows to keep suspect officers away from public after court blocks their sacking

The Met commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, said it was absurd that officers not fit to pass vetting could not be sacked. Photograph: James Manning/PA

The Metropolitan police vowed to keep scores of officers facing allegations including rape and sexual misconduct away from the public after the high court struck down its policy of sacking those who fail their vetting.

A furious Sir Mark Rowley, commissioner of the Met, said the force had been left in a “hopeless position” after a test case brought by an officer facing unproven claims including rape.