Met officer arrested after racial abuse claim

An inspector with the Metropolitan Police has been arrested on suspicion of racial abuse.

The officer is being investigated in connection with an alleged incident in Barnet, north London, while he was off duty on Monday morning, the force said.

He is on police bail and has been suspended from duties pending the outcome of an investigation.

The case is one of several recent allegations of racism made against officers with the Metropolitan Police.

The north London-based officer, who was arrested on Tuesday, is being investigated by the force's Directorate of Professional Standards.

A Met spokesman said: "The male officer was arrested on suspicion of a Section 4 Public Order Act offence (racially aggravated words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress).

"He is at present on police bail and has been suspended from duties pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

"The case is being investigated by the Directorate of Professional Standards. It has also been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission."