A Merseyside police officer accused of making inappropriate sexual comments towards two female colleagues fell foul of "political factors" after the murder of Sarah Everard, his lawyer claimed.
PC Michael Baines, who was still in his probationary period, was reported for "making sex noises" and "playing with his genitalia" as well as making inappropriate comments, on several occasions between July and September, 2021.
He stands accused of multiple breaches of police professional standards, which if found proved could mean his immediate dismissal for gross misconduct, as well as being placed on the College of Policing Barred List, prohibiting him from holding any policing job in future.
