Officer rebuked for 'Rusty' suntan joke

A young detective has been given a dressing-down by commanders for insulting a senior Scotland Yard chief at a fundraising event.

Former Lancashire chief constable Paul Stephenson, newly appointed as a deputy commissioner in the Met, attended the function in Richmond on his first day in the job. He had been on holiday and was

sporting a deep tan. A junior officer shouted out: "Hey Rusty, where did you get your suntan from?"

Officers laughed, unaware the butt of the joke was their new boss. Mr Stephenson and his party were not amused. The unnamed detective constable was immediately taken aside and given a stern telling-off.

He has been issued with a written warning for inappropriate behaviour. At Scotland Yard the affair is now known as Rustygate.

The episode has raised fresh questions over police discipline, although there is no suggestion of racism.

One police source said: "It's very embarrassing, particularly because the Met are trying to get rid of this type of thing."