A reporter was barred from covering a police misconduct hearing just minutes before it was due to begin without any explanation given.

MyLondon court and crime reporter Jamie Phillips was thrown out of the Metropolitan Police hearing despite having previously cleared his attendance and having set up his equipment in a designated press area as it was about to begin.

Jamie, pictured, had been given the go ahead to attend the four-day hearing into allegations that Detective Sergeant Neil Buckmaster, a serving Met Police officer, had used racist language on computer game.

But two officers walked into the room where he was set up and informed him the entire case would now be heard in private.

No explanation was given for the decision and Jamie was denied the right to make a submission challenging the ruling, which was made by a legally qualified chair overseeing proceedings.

The chair, who is independent of police but whose name has not been revealed by the Met, had been previously given Jamie’s attendance the green light.

The Police (Misconduct) Regulations 2020 state a decision for a hearing to be held in private can be made on limited grounds including to protect the interests of national security; to prevent premature or inappropriate disclosure of information relevant to any criminal proceedings; for the prevention or detection of crime; for the welfare of a witness; or otherwise in the public interest.

Speaking to HTFP, Jamie said: “From the reaction to our story it’s obviously not the first time it’s happened.”

He added: “There’d have to be quite serious grounds for the hearing to be held in private.

“For this decision to be made minutes before the hearing started is quite strange.

“It seems quite odd we weren’t given the opportunity to make a written submission but I’m not the only one who’s had issues in recent times.

“I hope we can work to get legislation to give the press the right to give submissions at these hearings.”

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said the force had no involvement decision being made and always promotes misconduct hearings being held in public.

They told MyLondon: “This misconduct hearing is being overseen by a legally qualified chair who is independent of the Metropolitan Police.

“The rules under which these hearings are conducted allow for the chair to decide that they should be held in private should he or she feel that is appropriate after hearing submissions.

“While the Met can make representations as part of that process, the decision is ultimately one for the independent chair.

“In this case, the chair has committed to setting out a rationale for why the hearing is being held in private but will do so after proceedings have concluded.”