A top detective with the Met Police who asked the victim of a crime out on a date will remain on the force despite misconduct allegations being proven against him.

Detective Chief Inspector James Mason, of the Central Specialist Crime Command, was found to have breached the standards of professional behaviour in respect of authority, respect and courtesy, discreditable conduct and integrity at a recent misconduct hearing.

On Tuesday (October 5) the misconduct hearing panel, led by an independent legally qualified chair, found all allegations proven.

They related to an incident that happened almost 10 years ago, on October 2011, while Mason was a Detective Sergeant on the force.

"The panel found he made comments to a victim of an attempted robbery while taking her witness statement that were inappropriately personal. These included questions about her personal life, relationships and whether she would like to go for dinner that evening. The hearing found that subsequent emails the officer sent the victim on 24 October 2011 were also inappropriate and an attempt to establish a relationship with a person he knew to be a victim of crime," a Met Police statement on the misconduct hearing read.

The news broke amid a crisis in confidence in the Met Police sparked by sentencing of the police officer who kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard.

Priti Patel said in response there would be an inquiry into the "systematic failures" which enabled Wayne Couzens to continue to be employed as a police officer.

The Home Secretary said: "The public have a right to know what systematic failures enabled his continued employment as a police officer. We need answers as to why this was allowed to happen. I can confirm today there will be an inquiry, to give the independent oversight needed, to ensure something like this can never happen again."

Met Detective Chief Superintendent Donna Smith, Professionalism, commented on Mason's case: "The behaviour of DCI Mason was unacceptable and unprofessional. A victim of crime is already likely to feel vulnerable, they should never be made to feel worse by the actions of a police officer. DCI Mason abused his position as a police officer and the victim’s trust. I want to thank the woman concerned for having the courage to come forward, it cannot have been easy for her... DCI Mason has been given a final written warning for three years – this is very serious and means that any future misconduct during this time could result in dismissal."