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Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe to meet Lord Brittan's widow Lord Brittan's widow accepts Met Police chief apology
(about 11 hours later)
The Metropolitan Police commissioner is due to meet the widow of Lord Brittan later to discuss the investigation of a rape claim against the late peer. The widow of Lord Brittan has accepted a "full apology" from the Metropolitan Police commissioner over the handling of an inquiry into the late peer.
Police interviewed Lord Brittan about the claim in 2014 but he died last year before the inquiry had ended. He died last year unaware the investigation into a rape claim against him, which he denied, had been dropped.
In the private meeting, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe is expected to be questioned about the length of time Scotland Yard took to conclude its investigation. Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said he and Lady Brittan had "a private, constructive conversation".
Lord Brittan had denied the historical allegation against him. The Brittan family said she had asked the commissioner 30 questions, which he promised to answer in writing.
Operation Midland
Speaking after the meeting, Sir Bernard told the BBC: "I confirmed the apology that we made some months ago now, which was an apology for not telling her at an early stage about the fact that Lord Brittan... was not to be prosecuted in the future and there was no chance of a successful prosecution.
"So we've talked - she had quite a few questions - I thought it was important to meet her."
The former home secretary has also been the subject of a separate investigation as part of Operation Midland, Scotland Yard's inquiry into allegations of a paedophile ring at the heart of Westminster.
The Brittan family said in a statement: "At the start of the meeting Sir Bernard offered Lady Brittan a full apology on behalf of the force, which she accepted.
"Lady Brittan went on to ask and table some 30 questions regarding the two police inquiries as they related to Lord Brittan.
"Sir Bernard promised to answer them in writing and Lady Brittan and the family await his response.
"Lady Brittan and the family have nothing further to add at least until they have received Sir Bernard's written response."
Sir Bernard said he would respond within weeks, but added: "We'll try and do it in days."
The Crown Prosecution Service advised the police in August 2013 that there was not enough evidence for a prosecution over the claim that Lord Brittan had raped a 19-year-old female student in 1967, but the case was reopened less than a year later.The Crown Prosecution Service advised the police in August 2013 that there was not enough evidence for a prosecution over the claim that Lord Brittan had raped a 19-year-old female student in 1967, but the case was reopened less than a year later.
Police interviewed Lord Brittan, who was suffering from terminal cancer, in May 2014, but no charges were brought. Lord Brittan died in January 2015.Police interviewed Lord Brittan, who was suffering from terminal cancer, in May 2014, but no charges were brought. Lord Brittan died in January 2015.
Operation Midland 'Premature'
In a letter last year, a senior officer apologised to Lady Brittan, saying she should have been told earlier that had he been alive, Lord Brittan would not have been prosecuted. In a letter last year, a senior officer apologised to Lady Brittan, saying she should have been told earlier that, had he been alive, Lord Brittan would not have been prosecuted.
Investigating officers had told the complainant this in April 2015, a Met report into the handling of the case revealed, but Lord Brittan's legal team were not told at the same time.Investigating officers had told the complainant this in April 2015, a Met report into the handling of the case revealed, but Lord Brittan's legal team were not told at the same time.
Scotland Yard said it had delayed telling the peer when he was alive because the CPS had been asked to carry out a final review of the case.Scotland Yard said it had delayed telling the peer when he was alive because the CPS had been asked to carry out a final review of the case.
A Met spokesman also said that notifying the complainant in April had been "premature", because the CPS did not confirm it would not pursue the case until June 2015.A Met spokesman also said that notifying the complainant in April had been "premature", because the CPS did not confirm it would not pursue the case until June 2015.
Scotland Yard has faced criticism over its handling of the case but a review - carried out by Dorset Police and published earlier this month - found its investigation of the claim was "fully justified".Scotland Yard has faced criticism over its handling of the case but a review - carried out by Dorset Police and published earlier this month - found its investigation of the claim was "fully justified".
The former home secretary has also been the subject of a separate investigation as part of Operation Midland, Scotland Yard's inquiry into allegations of a paedophile ring at the heart of Westminster. Lord Brittan, whose career included two years as home secretary in Margaret Thatcher's government, died in January 2015, aged 75.
The BBC's home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw says it is understood Sir Bernard will also be asked about this investigation in the meeting.
Lord Brittan, whose career included two years as home secretary in Margaret Thatcher's government, died in January 2015 aged 75.