Met Police ends bid to fire officer over child abuse video as bosses accept appeal court ruling against her sacking
- Supt Robyn Williams, 57, was sent a video of a girl being abused by her sister
- The officer had not asked for the clip from her sister, who was a social worker
- The Met sacked Williams but the decision was later overturned by a tribunal
- Supt Williams could be in line for a payout over the three-year legal wrangle
Scotland Yard last night finally gave up a three-year legal fight to sack a female black superintendent convicted of possessing child abuse images.
Supt Robyn Williams, 57, was put on the sex offenders register after her sister sent her a video of a girl of five being abused. She could now win a six-figure payout in damages.
The officer, who had enjoyed a glittering 36-year career, told the Old Bailey in 2019 that she did not ask for the 54-second video nor had she looked at it.
It was sent by Jennifer Hodge, 57, a social worker, who was asking her sister to investigate. Supt Williams was found guilty despite a judge saying she did not have the images for sexual gratification. She was not jailed but lost her job before this was overturned by a tribunal.
Supt Robyn Williams, 57, was put on the sex offenders register after her sister sent her a video of a girl of five being abused. She could now win a six-figure payout in damages
The officer, who had enjoyed a glittering 36-year career, told the Old Bailey in 2019 that she did not ask for the 54-second video nor had she looked at it. It was sent by Jennifer Hodge, 57, a social worker, who was asking her sister to investigate
The Met fought on to sack Supt Williams before the Court of Appeal last week ruled against the force. It has only now emerged that police chiefs have accepted this decision.
Last night a spokesman for the force said in a statement: ‘The Metropolitan Police Service is aware that the Court of Appeal has refused permission to hear two cases in which officers were reinstated after receiving criminal convictions. The Met accepts the decision of the Court.
‘The Met pursued this action as we believe there is an overwhelming public expectation that those who commit serious offences should no longer serve as police officers.
‘This is fundamental to our integrity. At a time when the Met is working hard to raise standards, retaining officers convicted of certain criminal offences can undermine the trust and confidence we need to restore within our communities.’
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Bas Javid, of Scotland Yard’s Directorate of Professionalism, suggested the force wanted more powers to kick out crooked officers, saying: ‘The Met will continue to work with the government to seek to ensure its concerns are properly addressed by a change to police misconduct policy.’
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