Surrey Police have a culture of bullying and a tray where cases which were “too difficult” were dumped, it has been claimed at an employment tribunal.

Former detective Bernard Cambi was giving evidence at the tribunal of Alison Wheeler, a former opera singer from West Molesey, who was sacked a month before her two-year probationary period was over, due to claims of cowardice and incompetence.

Mr Cambi, 63, alleged that while he was working as a civilian investigator for the force poor management led to a culture of bullying.

He told the tribunal at Croydon that he discovered cases in a draw gathering dust which had not been investigated by CID officers at Epsom and Esher police stations.

One had been there for nine months and another for a year, the tribunal was told.

Ms Wheeler, 39, was accused of not acting quickly enough to help off-duty PC Rory Channon break up a late-night brawl between up to five youths outside Walton police station on October 13, 2007, and not using her CS spray.

The tribunal continues.