INQUIRY INTO PADDICK 'SMEAR CAMPAIGN'

An investigation has been ordered into claims that Commander Brian Paddick,
the controversial Scotland Yard officer, is the victim of a smear campaign
by senior colleagues.

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) has set up the inquiry following
allegations that another commander wrongly claimed that Mr Paddick made
personal use of a CID car.

Mr Paddick, the country's most senior openly gay officer, is being
investigated himself for alleged drugs offences. He has claimed that he is
being targeted by homophobic officers.

The Independent understands that the inquiry, set up yesterday by the MPA,
is to examine a complaint made by Mr Paddick that a commander knowingly
repeated a false allegation against him. Last year Scotland Yard
investigated an anonymous claim, believed to have been made by an officer,
that Mr Paddick, 43, had taken a car belonging to the CID at Wimbledon
police division, where he was in charge, and used it for six months to
commute 100 miles to a police college in Hampshire. In fact, Mr Paddick had
been given a hire car for three weeks.

But, despite Mr Paddick being vindicated, he was warned that a commander
had been repeating the allegations. Mr Paddick made a formal complaint
about the matter in February. Mr Paddick believes that he is being targeted
by officers who are opposed to his scheme in Lambeth in which anyone caught
with a small quantity of cannabis is let off with a warning.

A spokesman from the MPA said: "The Metropolitan Police referred to the MPA
a complaint against ... officers of Acpo rank. Consequently, the MPA
professional standards and performance monitoring committee has appointed a
sub-group which has been tasked with considering the matter."

Another anonymous complaint was made two months ago, claiming Mr Paddick
had tipped off the management at Shadow Lounge, a gay club in central
London, that it was going to be raided by the drugs squad. But there were
no plans for a raid.