the times | Tuesday March 15 2022 2GM 17
News
thought we’d come
and do it ourselves.
We are filling the
holes while millions
and millions of pounds
have been spent on the
M11.”
The singer’s
Instagram video has
been liked 85,
times but was
criticised by an Essex
county council
cabinet member, who
warned that residents
who attempted to
repair roads could
become liable for
accidents.
Lee Scott, who is
responsible for
highways maintenance
at the council, told the
BBC: “You can’t take
matters into your
own hands. People
must always report
potholes to the council
and we will fix
anything that’s
dangerous.”
Scott said that an
officer had been sent
to the area to check
the road. “All road
repairs have to be
done to a professional
level or the person
doing it could become
liable for any problems
or accidents.”
He said he would be
happy to meet Stewart
to discuss plans to
repair the road.Sir Rod Stewart
says he daren’t
risk driving his
Ferrari along the
country lane near
his Essex homeExtramarital affairs should be among
“dangerous red flags” considered by
police forces when vetting recruits, the
head of the watchdog has said.
Michael Lockwood, director-general
of the Independent Office for Police
Conduct, told The Times that the police
needed to get rid of its “baddies” and
clamp down on toxic culture.
Vetting should be “more intrusive
and diligent”, and should include
looking at social media posts and the
background of applicants, including
their relationships.
Lockwood said: “Many individuals are
attracted to policing because of the
power. Many of the people that are
getting in can exhibit what I call ‘red
flags’. And it’s important that where
there are previous disciplinary issues
— prior sexual behaviour, even extra-Cheating on partner ‘should be
red flag for police recruitment’
marital affairs — those red flags
should indicate, don’t progress. They’re
dangerous.”
He said that with the government’s
increase of 20,000 officers — to replace
posts cut during austerity — vetting
was more important than ever and
warned chiefs not to cut corners.
Lockwood said that an extramarital
affair as a single factor would not block
a recruit, but it should be considered
and was an indicator of “something
that’s not right”.
He added: “I’m just saying, ‘look at
people’s background, look at their
history’. These are officers that are
going to need to have public confidence
and will be dealing with vulnerable
people. There’s quite a high benchmark
we need to have.”
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of
Constabulary is carrying out a review
of vetting, which is expected to suggestimprovements to root out police appli-
cants who do not meet standards.
Policing culture is under serious
scrutiny after a series of racism and
misogyny scandals. Public confidence
has been damaged following the
abduction, rape and murder of Sarah
Everard by a serving Metropolitan
Police officer.
Lockwood said there needed to be
“zero tolerance” about behaviour and
standards from the moment recruits
joined up. He wants better supervision
and leadership, and for officers to be
encouraged to blow the whistle on
colleagues who breach standards.
“Silence is not acceptable. There’s
clearly pockets of culture that you
stick together, ‘don’t snitch on us,
if you do you’re a grass, your career is
finished’. We’re not going to solve the
problem if it’s allowed to pervade and
spread.”Fiona Hamilton Crime EditorSleepy peer blocked from crops debate
A Labour member of the House of
Lords was blocked from taking part in a
debate about genetically modified
crops last night after he was accused of
sleeping through other speeches.
When Lord Young of Norwood
Green rose to speak he was interruptedby Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton
Waldrist, a Tory, who said: “I am sorry,
but the noble lord was fast asleep for the
entire duration of the minister’s speech.
He really should not participate in this
debate, having failed to take advantage
of the ability to hear him.”
Young, 79, a former trade unionist
and government minister, said that hewas not asleep now, to which Bloom-
field said: “Well I had to send a note to
you — in order to wake you up.”
The bill being debated by peers
would allow the UK to deviate from EU
law on the genetic modification of
crops. The regulations would allow
greater freedom for the practice of gene
editing of plants in the UK.Henry Zeffman Associate Political Editor