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Met officer sacked for running pizza business on sick leave

Ein Polizeibeamter der Metropolitan Police wird wegen grober Dienstpflichtverletzung entlassen, nachdem er während seiner krankheitsbedingten Abwesenheit eine Pizza-Business betreibt und bewirbt. Trotz anfänglicher Genehmigung für die Geschäftstätigkeit stellte das Tribunal fest, dass seine Aktiv…

Von Police Reports 20. Februar 2026, 01:06 Uhr
Met officer sacked for running pizza business on sick leave

A firearms officer from the Metropolitan Police has been dismissed for gross misconduct after it was revealed he operated and promoted a mobile pizza business while on long-term sick leave.

Sergeant Matt Skelt, who served in the force for 34 years and faced ongoing health issues, acknowledged that he had not disputed his involvement in the pizza venture, which he initially had permission to run.

Details of the Case

During a disciplinary hearing in Sutton, located in south-west London, Skelt explained that he engaged in the pizza business as a means to prepare for his upcoming retirement. The chair of the panel, Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams, remarked that Skelt was „well enough to work but not well enough to serve the public in any capacity.“

Skelt had been on extended sick leave throughout much of 2025 and into January of the current year. Evidence presented at the tribunal indicated that he had been active in his pizza business on days he reported absent from the Metropolitan Police due to illness.

Authorization and Social Media Evidence

Although Skelt had previously received approval to operate his pizza business, a letter dated August 2025 indicated that this authorization was being revoked due to its incompatibility with his phased return to work and recovery process. Nasreen Shah, representing the tribunal’s appropriate authority, stated that social media investigations revealed instances where Skelt appeared to be working on days he was officially absent due to sickness.

  • In September, online posts showed him selling pizza at various events.
  • He was seen working two days a week outside a pub.
  • Later posts featured him at a birthday party and promoting his business at a Christmas market.

Skelt contended that the August letter did not constitute a binding order, but the panel concluded that he should have stepped back from his public-facing role in the business. He expressed feeling trapped between adhering to the directive and ensuring his financial stability as he approached retirement.

„My reputation means a lot to me, and the thought of being dismissed from the police for gross misconduct is incredibly challenging to accept,“ he stated. „The last thing I wanted was to challenge the authority of the Metropolitan Police.“

Bildquelle: Foto von Jean-Luc Benazet auf Unsplash

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