A police marksman is under investigation for allegedly inserting song titles into his evidence during lawyer Mark Saunders' inquest.
The Met CO19 firearms officer, referred to only as AZ8, reportedly dropped in the lyric references as part of a shared joke with colleagues.
He was later "reprimanded" by a senior officer in his unit when evidence of his actions emerged.
But police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, has now been called in after the matter came to the attention of more senior staff.
Officer AZ8 was one of two specialist firearms officers who could have shot the fatal bullet to Mr Saunders' head, the inquest heard.
He told the hearing at Westminster Coroner's Court on September 27 that he regretted not shooting Mr Saunders earlier.
He added: "When he brought it down the first time I was virtually at that point.
"I took my breath, checked my sight picture and was just about squeezing one off.
"I was waiting for it, then he brought it back up. I took a lung full of air again and eased off on the trigger.
"As it came down again it crossed my line and I let off the first round."
He continued: " I thought that 'enough is enough'.
"It just got past that point of no return. Like you say, I have seen the film, and I am kicking myself because I feel I left it too late."
The songs allegedly referred to are believed to be:
:: First Time by Robyn Beck
:: Enough Is Enough by Donna Summer
:: At That Point by Teairra Marí
:: Point Of No Return by Immortal Technique
An IPCC spokeswoman said: "It is alleged that, while giving evidence under oath to the inquest on September 27, officer AZ8 deliberately inserted song titles into his verbal testimony."
"The investigation will examine the officer's testimony, any impact that testimony may have had on the proceedings, the way in which the allegation was initially dealt with by one of his supervisors, and whether or not any other police officers were involved."
A spokesman for the Met said: "We have now been informed by the IPCC that they will manage an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Directorate of Professional Standards.
"The Met takes this matter extremely seriously as we expect the highest standards of all of our staff. The officer has been removed from operational firearms duty."
Nice to see them taking this so seriously. Of course, there could be nothing in it other than pure coincidence
The Met CO19 firearms officer, referred to only as AZ8, reportedly dropped in the lyric references as part of a shared joke with colleagues.
He was later "reprimanded" by a senior officer in his unit when evidence of his actions emerged.
But police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, has now been called in after the matter came to the attention of more senior staff.
Officer AZ8 was one of two specialist firearms officers who could have shot the fatal bullet to Mr Saunders' head, the inquest heard.
He told the hearing at Westminster Coroner's Court on September 27 that he regretted not shooting Mr Saunders earlier.
He added: "When he brought it down the first time I was virtually at that point.
"I took my breath, checked my sight picture and was just about squeezing one off.
"I was waiting for it, then he brought it back up. I took a lung full of air again and eased off on the trigger.
"As it came down again it crossed my line and I let off the first round."
He continued: " I thought that 'enough is enough'.
"It just got past that point of no return. Like you say, I have seen the film, and I am kicking myself because I feel I left it too late."
The songs allegedly referred to are believed to be:
:: First Time by Robyn Beck
:: Enough Is Enough by Donna Summer
:: At That Point by Teairra Marí
:: Point Of No Return by Immortal Technique
An IPCC spokeswoman said: "It is alleged that, while giving evidence under oath to the inquest on September 27, officer AZ8 deliberately inserted song titles into his verbal testimony."
"The investigation will examine the officer's testimony, any impact that testimony may have had on the proceedings, the way in which the allegation was initially dealt with by one of his supervisors, and whether or not any other police officers were involved."
A spokesman for the Met said: "We have now been informed by the IPCC that they will manage an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Directorate of Professional Standards.
"The Met takes this matter extremely seriously as we expect the highest standards of all of our staff. The officer has been removed from operational firearms duty."
Nice to see them taking this so seriously. Of course, there could be nothing in it other than pure coincidence
