
Senior police officer who wrote the Met's drugs strategy fired for second time after refusing to take drugs test
TEST SHUNNED Senior police officer who wrote the Met's drugs strategy fired for second time after refusing to take drugs test
A SENIOR police officer has been fired for a second time after refusing to take a drugs test.
Commander Julian Bennett last year successfully appealed against his initial dismissal in 2023.
The Met then ordered a fresh misconduct hearing for his refusal to provide a urine sample in 2020.
It again found him guilty of gross misconduct.
The cop, on the force since 1976, had been suspended on full pay throughout the process.
Met Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: 'I am enormously concerned that almost five years since this incident happened we have only now been able to dismiss Commander Bennett.
'This should have been a simple matter. Commander Bennett has never disputed he refused a lawful order to take a drugs test.
'As a senior officer who had chaired misconduct hearings, Commander Bennett was highly experienced and knew full well what was required of him, yet he made a choice not to co-operate.
'He has been suspended on full pay for an extraordinary length of time. I am sure Londoners will be as outraged as we are at the utter waste of public funds spent paying a senior officer to sit at home suspended and not work.'
Mr Bennett wrote the Met's drugs strategy for 2017-21, titled Dealing With The Impact Of Drugs On Communities.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Dozens of firefighters called to battle blaze ripping through building as locals warned ‘keep windows closed'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MASSIVE fire erupted at a building under renovation in Sidcup - with Londoners being told to shut their windows following the huge blaze. The entire ground floor, first floor and roof of a shop with flats above it on Blackfen Road were engulfed by a terrifying inferno, London Fire Brigade confirmed. 5 The huge fire ripped through a building in Sidcup Credit: X/LondonFire 5 Londoners were told to shut their windows after a huge fire Credit: X/Kent_999s 5 The fire tore through an adjacent roof Credit: X/PardyBee Emergency services rushed 12 fire engines and around 80 firefighters to the scene to combat the fire which sent a huge plume of smoke into the sky. Flames also reportedly tore through part of a neighbouring roof. Station Commander Steve Howlett said: "This is a very visible fire which is producing a significant amount of smoke in the area." He warned: "Please keep your windows and doors closed if you live or work in the vicinity. READ MORE UK NEWS DOUBLE TRAGEDY Elderly couple, 77 & 83, who died after arson attack on their home pictured "We have one of our 32-metre turntable ladders being used as a water tower at the incident, to help tackle flames from height." The Fire Brigade said that the flaming property's "first floor collapsed". And they confirmed that there had been no reported injuries. They service said: "The Brigade's Control Officers took nearly 30 calls to the fire and mobilised crews from Eltham, Lee Green, Sidcup, East Greenwich and surrounding fire stations to the scene. "The fire was under control by 16:39." The cause of the fire is also under investigation, they added. Elderly couple, 77 and 83, killed in horror fire after 'arson attack' on their home – as cops probe 'murder' Local residents were advised to shut their windows after it became clear that the blaze had produced a "significant amount of smoke in the area". Terrifying footage on social media showed the raging fire tear through the property in south-east London. Horrified onlookers watched as firefighters worked tirelessly to put out the blaze. Smoke was also seen shooting into the air from the burning building which was undergoing renovation at the time. The commander said: "Blackfen Road is currently closed and some bus routes will be affected. "Please avoid the area while we work to make the scene safe." It comes after a woman was rushed to hospital and others were treated at the scene after a huge fire broke out at a tower block on July 11. Around 70 firefighters scrambled to the scene of a horror blaze on the eleventh floor of a 17-storey building in south London. 5 Firefighters worked to tackle the blaze Credit: X/LondonFire 5 Plumes of smoke were sent into the air Credit: X/PardyBee More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.


BBC News
21 hours ago
- BBC News
Jean Charles de Menezes vigil to be held in Stockwell
A vigil is to be held for a man shot dead by police on the Tube 20 years ago after he was mistaken for a suicide electrician Jean Charles de Menezes was shot seven times in the head and once in the shoulder by two police marksmen at Stockwell station on 22 July family will gather outside the Tube station at 10:00 BST to remember the 27-year-old, who was killed the day after failed bombing attempts on the London transport network and two weeks after the 7/7 bombings in central officers were prosecuted for the killing but the Met was fined for breaching health and safety laws. In April, the force reiterated its apology to the family. In April, Mr de Menezes' family told the BBC they would continue to fight for him and "show the world the truth".Speaking before a Disney+ four-part UK TV drama was released, his mum Maria de Menezes said she wanted the real story portrayed after there were incorrect initial reports that he jumped the barriers and hit was mistaken for one of the suspects because they were linked to the same block of November, the anonymous marksman who shot the Brazilian told Channel 4 he was certain "we were going to die" if he did not act. Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes: A timeline22 July 2005 Jean Charles de Menezes shot dead by police at Stockwell Tube station17 July 2006 CPS says no officers will be prosecuted, but Met Police will be tried for breaching health and safety laws1 November 2007 Met Police found guilty of breaching health and safety laws and fined22 October 2008 Inquest under way - coroner rules out unlawful killing verdict a month later12 December 2008 Inquest jury returns open verdict16 November 2009 Met Police settles damages claim with family10 June 2015 De Menezes family take legal challenge to European Court of Human Rights30 March 2016 Family lose challenge over decision not to charge any police officer over the shooting


Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Nine teens arrested after 'endangering' passengers on transatlantic flight
Met Police Officers were lying in wait as flight VS008 touched down after reports a gang of teens had "endangered" passengers and crew mid-air. Nine teenagers were arrested after allegedly sparking chaos on board a flight from Los Angeles to Heathrow. Metropolitan Police Officers were waiting on the tarmac as the Virgin Atlantic VS008 came in to land after reports of passengers being 'endangered' mid-air by a gang of rowdy youths, reports the Mirror. The group - all aged 17 and 18 - were arrested by officers on Monday on suspicion of refusing to follow crew instructions and putting the safety of the aircraft at risk. A spokesperson for the Met today said all nine were released with no further action taken. A Met spokesperson said: 'Nine individuals - aged 17 and 18 - were arrested on Monday, July 14, at Heathrow Airport after disembarking a flight from Los Angeles. All were arrested on suspicion of failing to comply with crew directions and endangering aircraft. 'They were taken into custody and were released without charge. Enquiries continue.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson told MyLondon: 'We'd like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused following the arrival of the VS008 at London Heathrow on July 14, due to disruptive passengers being apprehended by the authorities. "This is now a matter for the police, and we are unable to comment any further. The safety and welfare of our people and our customers is always our top priority." Heathrow Airport declined to comment. The incident comes just weeks after a major security scare at the same airport, when a man was filmed sprinting across the runway as aircraft taxied around him. The unidentified man was chased by several workers and eventually tackled to the ground by police and detained. Footage showed him wearing an object strapped to his waist as he weaved between planes, with onlookers gasping: "That is not right." He was finally intercepted by two men in hi-vis vests who arrived in a van and pinned him down before police swooped. A van was seen racing across the runway before he was bundled inside.