Bianca Williams: Former officers begin appeal over search sacking

Hugh Davies, representing Mr Clapham, said the officers had “every reason to suspect criminality” when they pulled Dos Santos over.

“Look at how he had driven. Fifteen seconds to get out of the car. His whole attitude.”

Mr Davies said another officer at the scene had smelled cannabis, but was not found to have lied.

“These findings are inherently unreasonable,” he continued.

“There was a smell of cannabis.

“It’s unreasonable to assume Clapham did not smell cannabis in the area and lied about it.

“The idea that an officer of (Clapham’s) character should lose his career is contrary to all fair sense.”

Mr Davies added that he was an “absolute credit” to the police.