PC Adam Zaman, 28, denied allegations he attacked a woman at the Andaz Hotel in Liverpool Street, central London, last October after meeting her at a nightclub in Romford, Essex.

PC Zaman had been due to stand trial but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) offered no evidence at a Royal Courts of Justice hearing in London on Thursday.

The officer, from Romford, was suspended from his post with the force, which he had held since 2016, after he was charged last year.

He was cleared of any wrongdoing at a short hearing before Mrs Justice Cheema Grubb.

PC Zaman, who was released on bail in December, did not attend the hearing.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of the case against PC Adam Zaman being dismissed at court.

"A misconduct review will be carried out in due course.

"PC Zaman is currently suspended from duty."

Allison Hunter QC, for the CPS, told the court: "The prosecution have taken a decision to offer no further evidence in this case."

She declined to give detailed information but highlighted how the CPS had a duty to "review all matters".

But Ms Hunter said there were matters of "significant concern" that, when "objectively assessed" alongside representations from PC Zaman, meant there was no longer a "realistic" prospect of conviction.

The decision was made at the "highest levels", Ms Hunter added.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb formally entered a not guilty verdict to the charge of rape.

A CPS spokesperson said: "As part of our continuous review of this case, we have carefully considered material submitted to us by the police and have concluded that our legal test is no longer met.

"We have informed all parties of our decision not to proceed further with this prosecution."