Police arrested 11 people during the protest last week.

Officers dismissed for discreditable conduct

A sergeant working in Brent who was convicted of illegally tapping into the police database has been sacked.

Sarah Matthew, 39, abused her position of trust by accessing intelligence information on several occasions while working in the borough.

She was arrested and charged last March following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS).

Last November at Southwark Crown Court, Matthew admitted nine offences under Section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1998.

She was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £2,000.

Yesterday (Thursday), she was dismissed for discreditable conduct at a MPS misconduct hearing.

DPS Commander Peter Spindler said: “This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and the panel rightly decided that she no longer has a place within the organisation.

“The officer abused her position and breached the high standards expected by the public and the vast majority of outstanding MPS officers and staff who carry out their service to the public with professionalism and integrity.

“This is a clear demonstration of how the MPS root out improper behaviour and send out a clear message to staff and the public that it will not be tolerated.”