A Metropolitan Police officer once likened to “Wayne Couzens 2” has been cleared of serious criminal allegations after it emerged that the female officer who accused him was an “alleged fantasist,” a misconduct hearing has revealed.

PC Alexander Watson was arrested after a female colleague claimed she had been sexually assaulted by an unknown male officer in circumstances said to resemble the high-profile case of Wayne Couzens. PC Watson was later identified as the suspect.

However, a subsequent investigation found that the claims made by the woman were unfounded. A Met Police misconduct report confirmed that she is now the subject of ongoing criminal proceedings herself.

The initial investigation led to a serious internal response, with the Professional Standards Unit informing PC Watson’s team that he had been arrested and would be charged and remanded. The case was internally referred to as “Wayne Couzens 2,” intensifying scrutiny around the allegations.

Although the criminal case against PC Watson was dropped, the internal probe led to a misconduct hearing last month. The hearing concluded that, while not criminal, PC Watson had acted inappropriately toward several younger female officers, causing discomfort through his conduct.

The misconduct panel stated: “On multiple occasions PC Watson acted inappropriately, unwisely and in a manner which placed his needs above his responsibilities to his colleagues.”

It added that there had been a “power imbalance” between PC Watson and the female officers he mentored, noting that he made inappropriate comments about their appearance, clothing, and legs. In one case, he reportedly told a mentee she was attractive.

PC Watson denied all allegations of misconduct. Despite this, the panel imposed a three-year written warning, citing his actions as unacceptable though falling short of grounds for dismissal.

However, the panel also acknowledged his long-standing service and high performance within the force, describing him as a “highly accomplished and experienced officer.” At the time of the allegations, PC Watson was serving with a specialist undercover taskforce targeting county lines drug operations.

“He had clearly suffered enormously as a result of the DPS investigation, and the falsified allegation made against him, which he indicated had unleashed a tsunami,” the report stated.

PC Watson has served with the Metropolitan Police for two decades.