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Scotland Yard launches inquiry into its handling of abuse allegations Scotland Yard launches inquiry into its handling of abuse allegations
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The Metropolitan police have announced an inquiry led by a retired judge, Sir Richard Henriques, into the handling of historic allegations of sexual abuse as they try to quell a firestorm of criticism. Scotland Yard has announced a judge-led inquiry into the handling of historic allegations of sexual abuse against public figures as the Metropolitan police service battles to quell a firestorm of criticism.
The review will examine how police forces can maintain the confidence of victims, while avoiding appearing to believe any story they are told. However, only part of the inquiry’s findings will be published as the Met says the report will be regarded as “private” for its commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe.
The review follows fierce criticism of the Met’s handling of rape and sexual abuse allegations against the former Conservative home secretary Leon Brittan and the former military chief Lord Bramall. Both men were investigated following complaints by two individuals and not charged, leading to claims they were unfairly treated and subjected to a witch-hunt. Related: Met 'failed to tell Brittan family' of rape inquiry review publication
The commissioner of the Met, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, announced the review. There have been calls for his contract not to be extended unless he apologises. The review follows fierce criticism of the Met’s handling of rape and sexual abuse allegations against the former Conservative home secretary Leon Brittan and the former military chief Lord Bramall. Both men were investigated following complaints by two individuals but not charged, leading to claims they were unfairly treated and subjected to a witch-hunt.
Several Conservative politicians have criticised Hogan-Howe over the Met’s handling of sex abuse allegations against prominent politicians and other senior public figures in the Operation Midland investigation. The review, by the retired judge Sir Richard Henriques, will examine how police forces can maintain the confidence of victims, while avoiding the appearance of believing any story they are told.
In a statement announcing the review on Wednesday, Hogan-Howe said the aim was “whether we can provide a better balance between our duty to investigate and the interests of suspects, complainants and victims.”
The Met commissioner added: “We are not afraid to learn how we can do these things better, and that’s why I’ve announced today’s review in to how we have conducted investigations in to non-recent sexual allegations involving public figures.”
Henriques is a former high court judge who conducted an inquiry into how Lord Janner escaped justice over abuse claims.
Several Conservative politicians have criticised Hogan-Howe over the Met’s handling of sex abuse allegations against prominent politicians and other senior public figures in the Operation Midland investigation. There have also been calls for Hogan-Howe’s contract not to be extended unless he apologises for the force’s alleged failings.
The inquiry is expected to be asked to examine whether a policy that the “the victim should always be believed” should be dropped. It was recommended in 2014 by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.The inquiry is expected to be asked to examine whether a policy that the “the victim should always be believed” should be dropped. It was recommended in 2014 by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.
The review forms part of a fightback by the Met after sustained criticism of Operation Midland. The government has already announced the Goddard inquiry into the scale of abuse and claims of a cover up.
On Wednesday evening Hogan-Howe will deliver a lecture where he will touch on the issues raised. The Met inquiry will be much more limited than Goddard’s. Hogan-Howe said: “The review will focus on police procedures and will not reach judgments on the evidence. That is for the public [Goddard] 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.”
Operation Midland is still investigating claims of a VIP paedophile ring abusing children, as well as possible homicides. Its central witness, known only as “Nick”, was viewed as credible by detectives after they spent hours listening to his account of alleged horror. Critics say the Met’s decision to investigate on the basis of “Nick” smacked of a knee-jerk overreaction which saw the reputations of Bramall and Brittan besmirched after lifetimes of public service. Henriques will look at Midland and other inquiries, including that into Brittan. Only its key findings will be shared with the public, the Met said.
Hogan-Howe is under pressure to apologise to Bramall, a D-day veteran who rose to become a military chief. Bramall, 92, has been told he faces no further action and had called on the Met to launch an inquiry into how it handled the allegations. Related: Paul Scates: Abuse survivor says people must stop being scared of talking about child sexual abuse | Mary O’Hara
“The key findings of the review and the recommendations will be published later this year, but the full review will contain confidential and sensitive information and will be a private report for the commissioner.”
The announcement of the review forms part of a fightback by the Met after sustained criticism of Operation Midland; on Wednesday evening Hogan-Howe is due to deliver a lecture in which he will touch on the issues raised.
The NSPCC said it hoped lessons could be learned from a “thorough and independent” review, but said it was crucial that victims of abuse were not inadvertently discouraged from coming forward to talk to police.
A spokesman said: “For someone to talk about the cruelty they endured takes unimaginable bravery, and they must feel confident that they will be listened to. We must not return to the dark ages where some powerful people believed themselves to be untouchable, and victims thought they would be disbelieved and dismissed.”
Operation Midland is still investigating claims that a VIP paedophile ring abused children – and possibly murdered them. Its central witness, known only as Nick, was viewed as credible by detectives after they spent hours listening to his account of alleged horror. Critics say the Met’s decision to investigate on the basis of Nick was a knee-jerk overreaction that besmirched the reputations of Bramall and Brittan after lifetimes of public service.
Hogan-Howe is under pressure to apologise to Bramall, a D-day veteran who rose to a senior position in the military. Now 92, Bramall has been told he faces no further action; he called on the Met to launch an inquiry into how it handled the allegations.
The Met has apologised for aspects of its handling of an investigation of Brittan, now deceased, over an allegation of rape dating back to 1967. In this case the evidence gathered by detectives was not strong enough to ask prosecutors for a charging decision. A review by Dorset police of the Brittan case said the Met was right to investigate.The Met has apologised for aspects of its handling of an investigation of Brittan, now deceased, over an allegation of rape dating back to 1967. In this case the evidence gathered by detectives was not strong enough to ask prosecutors for a charging decision. A review by Dorset police of the Brittan case said the Met was right to investigate.
Related: Child abuse claims: why due process and a fair hearing matter
After the revelations of Jimmy Savile’s widespread abuse of the vulnerable, and the failure to stop his crimes, the government announced the Goddard inquiry, which will examine individual cases.After the revelations of Jimmy Savile’s widespread abuse of the vulnerable, and the failure to stop his crimes, the government announced the Goddard inquiry, which will examine individual cases.
Police chiefs are bracing themselves for many more cases, potentially involving high-profile suspects.Police chiefs are bracing themselves for many more cases, potentially involving high-profile suspects.
Hogan-Howe was appointed by the Conservative-led coalition government in 2011, and his five-year contract expires in September. Hogan-Howe was appointed by the Conservative-led coalition government in 2011, and his five-year contract expires in September. The two previous Met commissioners, Sir Ian Blair and Sir Paul Stephenson, both resigned midterm.
Two previous Met commissioners, Sir Ian Blair and Sir Paul Stephenson, both resigned midterm.
A decision on whether to extend Hogan-Howe’s contract could come this week. On Monday the prime minister appeared to give the embattled police chief his backing.A decision on whether to extend Hogan-Howe’s contract could come this week. On Monday the prime minister appeared to give the embattled police chief his backing.
Theresa May, the home secretary, has to make the formal decision, although she has to consider the views of the mayor of London. Boris Johnson is understood to have recommended a one-year extension.Theresa May, the home secretary, has to make the formal decision, although she has to consider the views of the mayor of London. Boris Johnson is understood to have recommended a one-year extension.