Officer charged over card misuse

A Metropolitan Police officer has been charged in connection with alleged unauthorised spending on the force's credit cards.

Det Sgt Richard de Cadenet, 38, will appear before magistrates on 24 April over misfeasance in a public office.

Another serving Met officer and a former officer were arrested last year in connection with alleged irregular American Express card usage.

They have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

An investigation by Met watchdog, the Metropolitan Police Authority, said 1,400 cards have been withdrawn as part of the inquiry.

£2m 'missing'

It said almost £2m of police expenses remained unaccounted for.

The alleged misconduct relates to spending between 18 July and 2 October 2 last year.

On 5 October last year an off-duty officer was arrested at an address in Cambridgeshire.

DS de Cadenet was arrested three days later. He was charged on Tuesday.

On 21 December 2007, a 51-year-old former officer was also arrested as part of the investigation.