Met chief inspector denies plotting fake racism claim against boss

Explosive Met Police scandal: Zahir Asghar accused of family conspiracy to fake racism claim and silence key witness. Shocking court details inside.

A senior Metropolitan Police officer plotted to frame a colleague with a fabricated racism allegation, a court heard.

Chief Inspector Zahir Asghar, 45, denies orchestrating a false complaint against Superintendent Lisa Butterfield.

Prosecutors allege Asghar conspired with cousin Afrasayab Aslam to claim Butterfield racially abused an Uber Eats rider.

The pair face charges of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Read more: Cannabis is the culprit: The deadly weed psychosis link

Asghar also denies misconduct in public office.

The bogus report emerged in October 2023, one month after Butterfield attended an event at South Woodford Islamic Centre.

Asghar, attached to the North East Command Unit, allegedly sought to discredit Butterfield.

She was a witness in a separate misconduct probe against him.

Read more: Midnight veto: The burnham precedent & the High Court horizon

When suspicion turned to Asghar, he is accused of recruiting son Ibrahim to confess falsely.

Ibrahim allegedly told investigators he and an unknown accomplice lodged the complaint.

Asghar and Aslam entered not guilty pleas in August.

Asghar reiterated his denial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Read more: Labour blocks burnham: Civil war looms as mayor vetoed by NEC