Ealing’s top police officer remains suspended from duties more than a year after allegations of leaking information to a journalist were made against him.

Borough Commander Andy Rowell faces a misconduct hearing in relation to the alleged disclosure of information, which had been scheduled for February 2014 but has been adjourned until the summer following legal representations on his behalf.

Mr Rowell remains on 'garden leave' pending the outcome of internal misconduct proceedings and a date is yet to be finalised for the hearing.

A spokesperson from the Met Police confirmed that he remains on pay and when asked how this would be justified to the tax payer, said: “It’s a legal process, he is not guilty of anything at this moment.”

The Metropolitan Police confirmed they arrested a 51-year-old police officer in February 2013 as part of Operation Elveden, the Met’s investigation into alleged illegal payments by journalists to police and other public officials. A source close to the Gazette confirmed that the man arrested was Ealing’s police chief, Andy Rowell, but at the time the Met said they would not confirm this unless a charge is made.

When contacted, police would only confirm Mr Rowell was ‘away from his duties’.

He could be one of the most senior officers to be arrested as part of the operation, however the Met confirmed the arrest related to the suspected release of confidential information but not alleged payment.

Detective Superintendent Nev Nolan took over as Acting Borough Commander and has been in the position ever since.