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Met chief meets Lord Bramall over Operation Midland inquiry | Met chief meets Lord Bramall over Operation Midland inquiry |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The head of the Metropolitan Police has met privately with Lord Bramall, the former chief of the defence staff investigated over unproven claims of a historical VIP child sex abuse ring. | The head of the Metropolitan Police has met privately with Lord Bramall, the former chief of the defence staff investigated over unproven claims of a historical VIP child sex abuse ring. |
Scotland Yard said Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe had expressed "regret" at distress felt by the D-Day veteran for having his innocence called into question. | Scotland Yard said Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe had expressed "regret" at distress felt by the D-Day veteran for having his innocence called into question. |
The 92-year-old was interviewed under caution in April 2015 but told in January no action would be taken. | The 92-year-old was interviewed under caution in April 2015 but told in January no action would be taken. |
A review of the probe is taking place. | A review of the probe is taking place. |
Lord Bramall was questioned in connection with Operation Midland, which was wound up last month without any charges being brought. | Lord Bramall was questioned in connection with Operation Midland, which was wound up last month without any charges being brought. |
How one man's claims sparked Met inquiry | How one man's claims sparked Met inquiry |
It had been established in November 2014 to examine claims made by a man known only as Nick that boys had been abused by a group of powerful men from politics, the military and law enforcement agencies in the 1970s and 1980s. | It had been established in November 2014 to examine claims made by a man known only as Nick that boys had been abused by a group of powerful men from politics, the military and law enforcement agencies in the 1970s and 1980s. |
The Metropolitan Police said Sir Bernard and Assistant Commissioner Patricia Gallan met Lord Bramall on Thursday. | |
"Whilst the content of that conversation will remain private, the Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe expressed, in person, his regret about the distress felt by Lord Bramall and his family, and the impact of having his innocence publicly called into question after a long career of public service," it said in a statement. | "Whilst the content of that conversation will remain private, the Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe expressed, in person, his regret about the distress felt by Lord Bramall and his family, and the impact of having his innocence publicly called into question after a long career of public service," it said in a statement. |
Retired High Court Judge Sir Richard Henriques is examining the way the Met handles cases involving claims of historical child abuse by public figures. | Retired High Court Judge Sir Richard Henriques is examining the way the Met handles cases involving claims of historical child abuse by public figures. |
Scotland Yard said the commissioner had listened to Lord Bramall's concerns about how the investigation had been carried out and these would be considered during the review. | Scotland Yard said the commissioner had listened to Lord Bramall's concerns about how the investigation had been carried out and these would be considered during the review. |
'Great pressure' | 'Great pressure' |
A statement issued on behalf of Lord Bramall said it had been a "useful constructive meeting". | A statement issued on behalf of Lord Bramall said it had been a "useful constructive meeting". |
Sir Bernard, it said, had assured Lord Bramall the Met would be taking urgent steps to implement the recommendations of Sir Richard's review. | Sir Bernard, it said, had assured Lord Bramall the Met would be taking urgent steps to implement the recommendations of Sir Richard's review. |
It said Lord Bramall looked forward to contributing to the review into the investigation "with the aim of establishing whether it could or should have been handled differently". | It said Lord Bramall looked forward to contributing to the review into the investigation "with the aim of establishing whether it could or should have been handled differently". |
The statement added: "Lord Bramall accepts these assurances and appreciates the great pressure the Metropolitan Police have been under." | The statement added: "Lord Bramall accepts these assurances and appreciates the great pressure the Metropolitan Police have been under." |
Scotland Yard has come under fire amid concerns it overreacted to the allegations that prompted Operation Midland. | Scotland Yard has come under fire amid concerns it overreacted to the allegations that prompted Operation Midland. |
Speaking to MPs on the Commons Home Affairs Committee in February, Sir Bernard expressed "regret" at the effect of the inquiry on Lord Bramall but repeatedly refused to apologise. | Speaking to MPs on the Commons Home Affairs Committee in February, Sir Bernard expressed "regret" at the effect of the inquiry on Lord Bramall but repeatedly refused to apologise. |
He said people questioned had needed to wait to be told about the outcome of the case to allow police and the Crown Prosecution Service time to complete their work. | He said people questioned had needed to wait to be told about the outcome of the case to allow police and the Crown Prosecution Service time to complete their work. |
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