Met inspector accused of destroying evidence

A Met officer is accused of wiping a mobile phone and destroying evidence

A Metropolitan Police officer said to be the youngest detective inspector in the country has appeared in court accused of destroying evidence.

Det Insp Taylor Flanagan-Clark, 32, attached to the north-west local investigations team, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, charged with perverting the course of justice.

Prosecutor Rhianne Neil alleged the defendant remotely wiped a mobile phone that had been seized by police for examination and in doing so "destroyed evidence".

Sam Haldane, defending, told the court his client claims he did not wipe the device.

The barrister described Mr Flanagan-Clark, a father of two from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, as a "distinguished officer" of "previous unblemished record and as I understand it the youngest detective inspector within the country".

He added the defendant has worked in policing across Westminster, Kensington, Hammersmith and Fulham, Barnet, Harrow and Hackney.

The officer, who has been suspended, was remanded in custody to next appear at Southwark Crown Court on 19 September.

Det Ch Supt Luke Williams said: "These are very serious allegations which will undoubtedly concern the community we serve and our staff, but I want to reassure them my team has been working closely with the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) and the Anti-Corruption Command from the start of these matters.

"For now, it's important we let proceedings continue and do not jeopardise the ongoing investigation."