Five out of six police officers in a “toxic” specialist unit of Hampshire Constabulary have been sacked by a disciplinary panel for their “shameful” behaviour after they were bugged using bigoted and inappropriate language.

Detective Sergeant Oliver Lage, Detective Sergeant Gregory Willcox and PC James Oldfield have been dismissed while retired Detective Inspector Tim Ireson and former PC Craig Bannerman would have been sacked if they had not already left the force, and trainee Detective Constable Andrew Ferguson has been given a final written warning.