New evidence will free Ali Dizaei, says his lawyer

Sacked Met Commander Ali Dizaei today made a new plea for his conviction for corruption to be overturned on the grounds of fresh evidence about the identity of a key witness.

Dizaei's QC, Michael Mansfield, told the High Court that new material supporting grounds for an appeal "was coming to light as we speak".

The former officer, who was jailed for four years in 2008, argues that the case against him was fundamentally flawed because a main prosecution witness, Waad al-Baghdadi, allegedly used a false name and nationality when he appeared in court. Mr Mansfield said today: "This is an application to call for fresh evidence in relation to the identity of the main and crucial witness at the time."

He asked for an adjournment to examine the new evidence which he said had only just been revealed.

Dizaei was jailed after a jury found him guilty of attempting to frame Mr al-Baghdadi when they fell out over money.