Detective Inspector Taylor Flanagan-Clark, 32, attached to the Metropolitan Police north-west local investigations team, has been charged with perverting the course of justice. Prosecutors allege he remotely wiped a mobile phone that had been seized by police for examination, thereby destroying evidence. The defendant denies wiping the device. His barrister described him as a father of two from Hemel Hempstead with a previous unblemished record and as the youngest detective inspector in the country, and noted his service across multiple boroughs. The officer has been suspended and was remanded to appear at Southwark Crown Court on 19 September. Metropolitan Police confirmed coordination with the IOPC and the Anti-Corruption Command.
Sam Haldane, defending, told the court his client claims he did not wipe the device. The barrister described Mr Flanagan-Clark, a father of two from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, as a "distinguished officer" of "previous unblemished record and as I understand it the youngest detective inspector within the country". He added the defendant has worked in policing across Westminster, Kensington, Hammersmith and Fulham, Barnet, Harrow and Hackney.
These are very serious allegations which will undoubtedly concern the community we serve and our staff, but I want to reassure them my team has been working closely with the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) and the Anti-Corruption Command from the start of these matters. For now, it's important we let proceedings continue and do not jeopardise the ongoing investigation.
#metropolitan-police #perverting-the-course-of-justice #evidence-tampering #anti-corruption-investigation
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