Ex-Met poster girl cleared in leak case tells of ‘horrific trial’

Carol Howard

A former Scotland Yard poster girl who made claims of bullying and harassment in the force today told of her “horrific” trial after being cleared of leaking confidential information from a police watchdog.

Carol Howard, 41, featured on the Met’s posters for the 2012 London Olympics, but fell out with the force after claiming she had been victimised as one of just two black officers on the diplomatic protection group.

The former Pc won a £37,000 payout in 2014 over her treatment, and was hired by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

She lasted five months before she was accused of leaking 101 emails.

Ms Howard said she sent the emails to preserve evidence in a “whistleblower” case she was building.

A jury at Croydon crown court acquitted her on Friday of unlawfully obtaining personal information under the Data Protection Act.

“I would like to thank the jurors,” said Ms Howard, adding that the trial had been “horrific”.

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