A Metropolitan Police officer said to be the youngest detective inspector in the country has appeared in court accused of destroying evidence.
DI Taylor Flanagan-Clark, 32, is alleged to have remotely wiped a mobile phone that had been seized by colleagues.
The device is linked to a separate criminal case being probed by the force’s Anti-Corruption Command under the direction of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, Scotland Yard said.
Flanagan-Clark, attached to the North West local investigations team, appeared upset and wiped his eyes in the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
He appeared charged with a single count of perverting the course of justice.
Prosecutor Rhianne Neil alleged the defendant, of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, remotely wiped a mobile phone that had been seized by police for examination and in doing so “destroyed evidence”.
Sam Haldane, defending, told the court that his client claims he did not wipe the device.
The barrister described Flanagan-Clark, a father of two, as a “distinguished officer” of “previous unblemished record and as I understand it the youngest detective inspector within the country”.
He added that the defendant has worked in policing across Westminster, Kensington, Hammersmith and Fulham, Barnet, Harrow and Hackney.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who leads policing in north west London, said: “These are very serious allegations which will undoubtedly concern the community we serve and our staff, but I want to reassure them my team has been working closely with the IOPC and the Anti Corruption Command from the start of these matters.
“For now, it’s important we let proceedings continue and do not jeopardise the ongoing investigation.”
DI Flanagan-Clark has been suspended and is remanded in custody to next appear at Southwark Crown Court on September 19.
