Senior Police Officer Sues Metropolitan Police for Discrimination Over Leaked Sex Addiction Claims

 

A senior police officer, Jeffrey Boothe, has filed a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Police, claiming discrimination after allegedly being exposed as a sex addict. Boothe, who has represented the force at high-profile conferences and worked on initiatives to increase female representation in the police, admitted to paying for sex.

In an employment tribunal, Boothe accused Scotland Yard of leaking information about his condition to the media, which he claims caused him significant stress and anxiety, leading to a feeling of persecution. In May 2023, it was revealed that an unnamed senior officer with a salary of £100,000 had kept his job despite using prostitutes, sparking controversy in the London Assembly.

Boothe launched his discrimination case in March, stating that a psychological diagnosis of sexual addiction from a treatment association founded in 2015 formed the basis of his claim. He mentioned that his ex-partner was aware of his struggle with sex addiction, which led him to hire prostitutes.

Boothe argued that the Met’s alleged leak regarding his addiction constituted "unfavorable treatment." However, after his initial claim was rejected, he attempted to assert that his condition was related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

The tribunal recently dismissed his case, with Employment Judge Pavel Klimov concluding that Boothe had provided false information regarding his OCD diagnosis. The judge stated that there was no sufficient evidence to support Boothe's claims about having OCD or that it constituted a disability.

During the hearing, the judge noted Boothe's acknowledgment that the media did not leak details about his sex addiction, but rather his engagement with prostitutes. The judge emphasized that Boothe only mentioned OCD for the first time in August 2024, raising doubts about the validity of his claims.

As a result, the tribunal ruled that Boothe had failed to demonstrate he had a mental impairment that met the criteria for a disability, leading to the dismissal of his discrimination claim.

The case has highlighted the need for the Metropolitan Police to reevaluate its disciplinary processes to ensure a safe and supportive working environment, especially for women. Advocates argue that unresolved issues like this can significantly undermine confidence in the police force.