UK: Racist detective arrested on suspicion of perverting course of justice

A murder detective under investigation over a racist comment at a force Christmas party has been arrested on suspicion of perverting the court of justice.

West Yorkshire Police officer Detective Chief Inspector Liz Belton was also arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and for computer misuse offences.

She has been bailed alongside two police constables and was suspended from duty following the arrests.

Earlier this month it emerged DCI Belton, a member of the force's Homicide and Major Inquiry Team, had been placed on restricted duties after making the racist remark.

The Homicide and Major Inquiry Team is responsible for investigating some of the area's highest profile cases.

Before her suspension, DCI Belton had been leading a new inquiry into the historic murder of Wakefield teen Elsie Frost, in 1965.

Regarding the alleged racist remark, spokeswomen for West Yorkshire Police and the Police Federation declined to comment on the specifics of the incident.

However, a force statement said: 'An allegation has been made in relation to a serving West Yorkshire Police officer using inappropriate language.

'The officer was put on restricted duties following this allegation being made and an investigation is ongoing by the Force's Professional Standards Department.'

DCI Belton had previously been subject to an internal probe in 2012 after becoming embroiled in an off-duty row with her partner Sergeant Chris Beddis, and Chief Superintendent Ian Whitehouse at a gym in a police station in Leeds.

Original report here


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