Vetting blunder 'let Tomlinson officer rejoin Met police'

Scotland Yard was facing fresh controversy today after it emerged that it should not have employed an officer now at the centre of an inquiry into the death of Ian Tomlinson during the G20 protests.

The officer had apparently been retired from the Met with a serious disciplinary charge hanging over him, barring him from rejoining.

He managed to rejoin the force because of a vetting blunder. The allegation is now likely to form part of the Independent Police Complaints Commission's investigation into Mr Tomlinson's death.

Mr Tomlinson, 47, died after he was hit and pushed over by the officer during the G20 protests in April. The Pc was questioned by the IPCC and is now at the centre of a manslaughter investigation.

But several years ago, while serving with the Met, he was apparently due to face a misconduct hearing over an off-duty road-rage row. A source said: "No former officer with an outstanding disciplinary matter should ever be given his job back."

The Pc was retired because of an old injury and left with a substantial medical pension. But he rejoined the force as a civilian worker. He then applied to join Surrey Police as a constable before transferring back to the Met. The Met today refused to comment on the claims. Mr Tomlinson's family said they were told by an investigator recently that he may have been assaulted by someone impersonating a police officer.