Officer to face misconduct panel

BBC | Tuesday, 23 December 2008 | Click here for original article

A Merseyside police officer is to face a misconduct panel over allegations that he is a member of the British National Party (BNP).

Pc Steve Bettley was on holiday when a document listing details of 12,000 BNP people was published online.

Merseyside Police has conducted an investigation into the allegation and has passed the matter to its solicitors for further consideration.

The officer currently remains suspended from duties.

The Merseyside force specifically bans all officers from membership of the BNP, Combat 18 and the National Front.

Mr Bettley was included in a list of thousands of BNP supporters which was leaked on an internet blog. His name was part of the main entry of a family member.

The list, which was removed from the original blog where it was posted, also names a number of current and former servicemen, along with ex-policemen.

The officer once worked for a six-week period as a personal driver for the force's chief constable, Bernard Hogan Howe.