PADDICK URGES COMMISSIONER TO END SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST HIM

Lawyers for Brian Paddick, the police commander who led a cannabis
liberalisation experiment in London, have written to the Commissioner
of the Metro-politan Police demanding an end to a smear campaign in
which he has allegedly been described as "unstable" and
"unpredictable".

It is also understood a police investigation into claims that Mr
Paddick smoked cannabis has produced little or no evidence. He now
looks certain to be cleared of any criminal charges, although he may
yet be censured for minor disciplinary offences.

The letter to Sir John Stevens, a copy of which has been sent to the
Metropolitan Police Authority, which oversees the running of the Met,
is the latest development in what is rapidly becoming a damaging
dispute at Scotland Yard. Mr Paddick was moved to a desk job from the
south London borough of Lambeth after a former partner said he had
smoked cannabis, a claim that the officer denies.

Mr Paddick's lawyers are understood to have told Sir John that a
senior officer has been behind the alleged smears. The 43-year-old
commander, who is Britain's most senior openly gay police officer,
wants assurances that there will be no further slur on his reputation.

A spokeswoman for the MPA said: "We have received a letter which is
currently being considered." Scotland Yard and Mr Paddick declined to
comment.