A police constable has been dismissed without notice after gross misconduct allegations were proven.

Police Constable Lee Harrison, attached to the North East Command Unit, answered to allegations that he breached the Met’s Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct.

It was alleged that PC Harrison sent text and photo messages of a sexually explicit nature to female colleagues; that he touched female colleagues inappropriately and made sexually explicit comments to them whilst on duty; and that he made derogatory comments to colleagues about their physical appearance.

The panel, with a legally qualified chair, found the majority of allegations proven as gross misconduct and he was dismissed without notice.

Another officer, Sergeant Stuart Murray, also of the North East Command Unit, attended the same hearing to answer allegations that he breached the Met’s Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to authority, respect and courtesy, duties and responsibility and discreditable conduct.

It is alleged that Sgt Murray did not challenge the inappropriate behaviour alleged to have been committed by PC Harrison; that he made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature in a WhatsApp group with colleagues and allowed an overly-sexualised working environment to develop; and that he neglected his duties by not attending work for a number of weeks.

The panel found a number of allegations proven as gross misconduct. Sgt Murray was issued with a Final Written Warning.-UK Police