iStockA serving Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with two counts of rape, the force has said.
PC Rupert Edwards was arrested on suspicion of rape of Monday, September 5, before being bailed and suspended from duty.
On Thursday, he was further arrested on suspicion of rape, and then charged with two counts of rape.
The charges relate to two women aged in their 20s and 30s, and are alleged to have occurred in Lambeth on August 26, and in Surrey on September 5, while PC Edwards was off duty.
He is due to appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Commander Jon Savell, in charge of the Met’s professionalism command, said: “This news is deeply worrying and I recognise the concern it will cause the public and other police officers.
“We took immediate action to suspend PC Edwards from duty when he was first arrested in September.
“Legal proceedings are now active and it is important that I do not comment while that process takes place.”
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards and the Independent Office for Police Conduct have been informed.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
