Firearms police officer gets drunk and spends night in tent at St Paul's protest camp

A police firearms officer faces being disciplined over claims he slept in a protester's tent at St Paul's Cathedral after a drinking spree. Pc Gary Withers was said to have taken refuge in the activists' Occupy London camp after being thrown out of the Savoy Hotel.

Police chiefs have yet to decide whether Pc Withers, a marksman with City of London Police, broke force rules, a spokesman for the force said. The 35-year-old was said to be celebrating with colleagues after passing a firearms course.



After being asked to leave the central London hotel, protesters were said to have taken pity on him when he turned up late with nowhere to stay. He is believed to have been recognised by colleagues on duty outside the cathedral as he stumbled from a tent the next morning.

The force's professional standards unit is looking at the allegations. "City of London Police is aware of an incident involving an officer, and is considering whether disciplinary action is appropriate," the spokesman said. Mr Withers, an ex-Army member, is "feeling very embarrassed" about the affair, though his friends find it "hilarious".