It sounds like something straight out of a TV drama, but one of Britain’s most talked-about pub scandals unfolded after a leaving party in a South London boozer.
Back in 2012, Scotland Yard launched a gross misconduct investigation after allegations emerged that several off-duty Metropolitan Police officers had taken part in sexual activity during a night out at The Pineapple pub in Kennington.
According to reports at the time, the evening descended into chaos after a leaving party involving officers and police staff from Kennington Police Station.
It was alleged that one female police officer performed a sexual act on her boyfriend in the public bar, while a second woman, a 19-year-old civilian police employee, allegedly had sexual encounters with several male officers inside the pub’s toilets.
Reports also claimed some of those present recorded parts of the evening on mobile phones, adding another layer of controversy to the incident.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that all those allegedly involved were off duty at the time, but launched an investigation into possible gross misconduct, the most serious disciplinary offence available within the force.
No criminal complaint was made by either woman, and police said the investigation centred on professional standards rather than criminal allegations.
At the time, then Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson reportedly described the allegations as a “disturbing incident”.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said officers from the Directorate of Professional Standards were investigating allegations involving several officers and members of police staff from Lambeth Borough.
The incident quickly became national news, sparking debate about professional conduct, behaviour outside of work and the standards expected of serving police officers.
More than a decade later, it remains one of the most infamous stories ever linked to a British pub.
