DES O’Connor’s daughter has launched a legal battle against the Metropolitan Police after a cop who called her “amazingly hot” kept his job.

Kristina O’Connor, 33, called the police after being attacked by a group of men who tried to steal her phone in 2011.

She was interviewed by Detective Chief Inspector James Mason, 43, who was a detective sergeant at the time, and claims that he asked her “invasive” questions.

DCI Mason, who is now an aide to Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, quizzed her with “sexual overtones” before asking her out for a drink and calling her “amazingly hot”.

In the messages he even admitted that he could "probably" get fired for coming on to her.

A misconduct hearing last year found that DCI Mason had breached the professional standards behaviours and was given a final written warning.

Despite the allegations against him being proven. he kept his job – with Kristina now launching a judicial review against the Met.

Her probe will focus on the Met for “enabling and normalising” misogyny, according to the Sunday Times.

Most read in The Sun

She said: “By speaking out now I want to encourage more women to come forward about their negative experiences with the police.

"It's difficult and takes courage, I know, but if enough women speak out, the Met won't be able to dismiss them as 'one-offs.

“The first step would be the Met acknowledging there's a culture of misogyny.

"Even in the tiny minority of cases like mine, where the perpetrator is brought before a panel, charged and finally convicted of misconduct.

“My experience tells me that they are still protected, their jobs considered more important than my safety and my faith in the police. 

“If what I have seen is the process by which the Met is held to account … it is woefully inadequate, and something needs to change.”

Her case accuses both the Met and the head of the police conduct panel of leading a flawed investigation and failing to deal with her complaint adequately.   

Speaking about the allegations previously, she said that DCI Mason asked weather she had a boyfriend at home and what she wore to work.

Kristina, a musician, had been given a black eye after being attacked while buying food on her way home.

She rejected his advances, but he continued to give her his police email address and she contacted him regarding the case.

Kristina asked if he could take fingerprints from her phone, and he allegedly replied asking to take photos of her injuries.

She then blasted him, telling him that he had “no shame”, and DCI Mason told her that “coming on to victims is positively encouraged”, before adding: “It's all part of the friendly and accessible face of the Met Police.”

'NEED FOR REAL CHANGE'

Kristina explained that she didn’t report the officer for ten years, and didn’t report an abusive partner because she didn’t want more “unwanted behaviour” from serving officers.

Kristina's lawyer Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC said the investigation into Mason “belittled" her as the victim and was “blind" to the detective's alleged "sexist misogynistic nature”.

A Met Police spokesman said: “We recognise there is a need for real change in the Met.

"We are committed to creating an environment that is intolerant to those who do not uphold the high values and standards expected of us. 

“This work has been ongoing in recent months and will continue with the independent, far-reaching review led by Baroness Casey of Blackstock. 

“The review will ask difficult questions of us to ensure there are lasting improvements to the service we provide for all Londoners.”

He added that victims of crime should have the confidence and trust to come to the police and receive “support and professionalism”.

The case comes amid growing pressure on under-fire Met chief Cressida Dick to improve vetting procedures in Scotland Yard following the shocking rape and murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens.

Baroness Casey will lead a review into Scotland Yard's culture and vetting processes which will re-examine historical sexual misconduct allegations involving officers still serving in the force.

A separate independent inquiry announced by Home Secretary Priti Patel last week will investigate the "systemic" failures that allowed Couzens to be employed as a police officer despite reports of indecent exposure and other signs he could be dangerous.

‘CULTURE OF MISOGYNY’

Kristina got back in contact with DCI Mason the day after the attack to check on the investigations progress and the pair exchanged messages.

MASON: Please look after yourself while you’re out in Camden. 

Hopefully you will not be a victim of crime again but if you ever fancy having a drink with a very discreet police officer just let me know, it would be my pleasure.

If you have any visible injuries that you would like me to record then I am happy to take a picture for you and save it in case we manage to get any further in the investigation.

I hope it doesn’t hurt too much and I am sure you still look amazingly hot.

O'CONNOR: You’re presuming that I’m unaffected enough by the crime to come on to me? Isn’t there some kind of code of practice that you are breaking right now?

MASON: Kristina, have faith in my detective ability and experience. Actually, coming on to victims is positively encouraged, it’s all part of the friendly and accessible face of the Met Police. It’s the rejection that’s frowned upon.

O'CONNOR: You have no shame! You could get fired for this!

MASON: You are probably right on both counts. I can assure that I am as determined in my pursuit of criminals as I am of beautiful women if that helps.

You know where I am if you ever change your mind or need a friendly police officer.

Source: Read Full Article