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Judge to review police handling of child abuse inquiries Judge to review police handling of child abuse inquiries
(35 minutes later)
A former High Court judge is to review the Metropolitan Police's handling of cases involving claims of historical child abuse by public figures.A former High Court judge is to review the Metropolitan Police's handling of cases involving claims of historical child abuse by public figures.
Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has asked Sir Richard Henriques to make recommendations about whether there are ways to improve procedures.Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has asked Sir Richard Henriques to make recommendations about whether there are ways to improve procedures.
The Operation Midland inquiry into a 1970s paedophile ring is among the investigations that will be examined.The Operation Midland inquiry into a 1970s paedophile ring is among the investigations that will be examined.
The force has come under fire amid claims it over-reacted to allegations.The force has come under fire amid claims it over-reacted to allegations.
Former head of the Army Lord Bramall, who last month found out he would not face any further action in connection with Operation Midland, had called for a review. Former head of the Army Lord Bramall, 92, who last month found out he would not face any further action in connection with Operation Midland, had called for a review. His solicitor said he welcomed the announcement.
The peer, 92, strongly denied the claims made by a man given the name "Nick", and said detectives had taken 10 months before speaking to witnesses who cast doubt on the case. The peer strongly denied claims made by a man given the name "Nick", and said detectives had taken 10 months before speaking to witnesses who cast doubt on the case.
Questions were also asked about the Met Police's handling of an investigation of a rape allegation against the late Lord Brittan, who died in January 2015 without being told that the case had been dropped. There has also been scrutiny of the Met Police's handling of an investigation of a rape allegation against the late Lord Brittan, who died in January 2015 without being told that the case had been dropped.
It comes as critics have questioned whether Sir Bernard's contract, up in September this year, should be renewed.It comes as critics have questioned whether Sir Bernard's contract, up in September this year, should be renewed.
And the Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz has asked that he appear in front of MPs to answer questions about the Met's handling of the cases. Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz has asked that he appear in front of MPs to answer questions about the Met's handling of the cases.
Press turns both barrels on the Met PolicePress turns both barrels on the Met Police
'Independent mind''Independent mind'
The full review will contain confidential and sensitive information and will be a private report for the Scotland Yard commissioner but its key findings and the recommendations will be made public later this year. The judge's review will contain confidential and sensitive information and will be a private report for Sir Bernard, but its key findings and the recommendations will be made public later this year.
Sir Bernard said: "We are not afraid to learn how we can do these things better.Sir Bernard said: "We are not afraid to learn how we can do these things better.
"Sir Richard brings an independent legal mind to advise us whether we can provide a better balance between our duty to investigate and the interests of suspects, complainants and victims.""Sir Richard brings an independent legal mind to advise us whether we can provide a better balance between our duty to investigate and the interests of suspects, complainants and victims."
He said Judge Lowell Goddard, who is chairing the wide-ranging independent inquiry into child sex abuse, has been notified of the review.He said Judge Lowell Goddard, who is chairing the wide-ranging independent inquiry into child sex abuse, has been notified of the review.
"The review will focus on police procedures and will not reach judgements on the evidence," he added."The review will focus on police procedures and will not reach judgements on the evidence," he added.
"That is for the public inquiry to do, should they wish to examine any of the investigations covered by Sir Richard."That is for the public inquiry to do, should they wish to examine any of the investigations covered by Sir Richard.
"A full copy of the review will be given to the public inquiry.""A full copy of the review will be given to the public inquiry."
Sir Richard recently carried out a review of sex abuse allegations against the former Labour MP Lord Janner, which concluded prosecutors had been wrong not to have charged the late peer 25 years ago.
A spokesman for children's charity the NSPCC said it was crucial the review into the Met Police investigations did not "inadvertently discourage" victims of abuse from coming forward.