Met officers cleared of BNP links

BNP leader Nick Griffin complained about the publication of the list

Two Metropolitan Police officers whose names appeared on a leaked British National Party membership list have been cleared by an internal inquiry.

Pc Joe Cutting, from south London, was suspended when his name appeared on a list of 13,500 members published online in November last year.

A male volunteer part-time special constable, whose name is not known, was also named on the list and suspended.

Both men have been exonerated and are to return to full duties, the Met said.

Disgruntled former members

"Following a thorough investigation, directorate of professional standards officers could find no evidence to prove that either of the officers was a member of the BNP," said a police spokesman.

"Following this investigation both officers have been exonerated and are returning to full duties with immediate effect."

The publication of the BNP membership, apparently by disgruntled former staff members, provoked uproar.

It listed teachers, civil servants, IT consultants and political activists among the organisation's membership.

Police forces across England and Wales scoured the list for the names of serving employees as the Prison Service said it would sack any employee found on it.

Officers are banned from joining far-right organisations, including the BNP, Combat 18 and the National Front.