The detectives, from the Yard’s anti-corruption squad, had alleged the officer had punched a minicab driver and kicked his car in a road rage attack. He was convicted but an appeal court was shown previously undisclosed closed circuit television footage in which the accused is seen only to crouch down next to the car apparently talking to the driver.
The case is a major embarrassment for the Metropolitan police squad, dubbed the Untouchables. The prosecution for assault came after a three-month secret surveillance operation had failed to find any evidence against the officer for a separate undisclosed offence.
Detective Constable Nabeel Akhtar was cleared of the road rage offence at the appeal hearing at Guildford crown court earlier this month. In his ruling Judge John Bull QC said he could not accept the evidence of the surveillance team in relation to the assault. He believed the police could have been “consciously or unconsciously” influenced by the fact that they had “failed in their (surveillance) mission to procure any evidence which would lead to a charge”.
He has ordered that a copy of his judgment be sent to Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan police commissioner. The Sunday Times has established that four of the surveillance officers are involved in a corruption trial concerning serving and retired detectives.
The alleged road rage incident occurred in January last year when Akhtar, who is related to a former president of Pakistan, was driving in south London. At the time he was under surveillance as part of Operation Millstream. The reason for the operation has never been disclosed and the identities of the detectives involved has been protected by the court.
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The officers said in evidence they saw Akhtar get out out of his car and attack a minicab driver after a minor traffic incident. They claimed he left his car twice and assaulted the taxi driver on the second occasion.
But the appeal hearing was shown CCTV footage, which had not been available at the trial, that showed Akhtar left his car only once. He is seen crouching down next to the open taxi for 12 seconds.
His legal team accused the officers of fabricating the case against him.
One of the police witnesses also claimed Akhtar kicked the taxi door. In his ruling Bull noted: “The video does not in any sense support the allegation that there were any kicks made to the driver’s door.”
He also expressed concern about the evidence given by the taxi driver, Sohail Nagi, who might be “susceptible to pressure” as he faced deportation.
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Last night Scotland Yard said: “We are studying the judge’s comments. Whilst we are naturally concerned about the issues raised, we consider further clarification is needed.” None of the officers has been suspended.