Nisha Patel

Nisha Patel was a special constable. A deep and sinister meaning for 'special' emanates from this reported account: MailOnline. Patel allegedly claimed to have powerful 'friends' at New Scotland Yard and it would seem this could be the case in view of what was apparently not done:

• 'She was very confident of her position, and openly aggressive in the apparent assurance that her alleged highpowered friends at New Scotland Yard would protect her and her actions.'

• 'Someone, a senior officer, did have a word with her - and it was left at that. She wasn't disciplined.'

• A Met spokesman: 'Following a Department of Professional Standards (sic) investigation, no criminality was identified, and the most appropriate way of dealing with what had happened was for her to get a formal verbal warning from local management.'

• Normal cops can be punished with a fine or loss of pay or a reduction in rank. It didn't happen in her case because she was a special. They are volunteers, so they can't be fined. The only discipline for them is dismissal, and as far as the Met was concerned, Nisha was Asian and a woman.

A very disturbing story, though not atypical of the abuse of power. A small-league crook with a super-sized ego. Allegedly.