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Operation Midland: report to criticise Met's handling of sexual abuse inquiry Operation Midland: report to criticise Met's sex abuse inquiry
(35 minutes later)
Scotland Yard spent too long pursuing the investigation into allegations that prominent establishment figures sexually abused and killed children and should have ended it sooner, the unpublished draft report about Operation Midland has concluded.Scotland Yard spent too long pursuing the investigation into allegations that prominent establishment figures sexually abused and killed children and should have ended it sooner, the unpublished draft report about Operation Midland has concluded.
The Guardian understands that the findings of the inquiry about Operation Midland, which collapsed amid controversy earlier this year, are more critical than police chiefs were expecting and have sent Scotland Yard into crisis mode.The Guardian understands that the findings of the inquiry about Operation Midland, which collapsed amid controversy earlier this year, are more critical than police chiefs were expecting and have sent Scotland Yard into crisis mode.
The report by Sir Richard Henriques, a retired high court judge, is understood to say that inconsistencies in the account of the main witness, known as Nick, compromised the investigation’s chances of success, which meant it was unlikely a criminal case would reach the threshold needed for a court case against any of the suspects. The report also criticises decisions and actions by officers involved in the high-profile and complex investigation.The report by Sir Richard Henriques, a retired high court judge, is understood to say that inconsistencies in the account of the main witness, known as Nick, compromised the investigation’s chances of success, which meant it was unlikely a criminal case would reach the threshold needed for a court case against any of the suspects. The report also criticises decisions and actions by officers involved in the high-profile and complex investigation.
Nick’s claims led to allegations against public figures, including a former military chief, Lord Bramall, and a former home secretary, Leon Brittan, as well as the former Tory MP Harvey Proctor.Nick’s claims led to allegations against public figures, including a former military chief, Lord Bramall, and a former home secretary, Leon Brittan, as well as the former Tory MP Harvey Proctor.
The report was ordered by the Met commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, after a furore over police actions and decision-making in the case, which saw officers obtain warrants to raid the homes of suspects and search their possessions.The report was ordered by the Met commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, after a furore over police actions and decision-making in the case, which saw officers obtain warrants to raid the homes of suspects and search their possessions.
Operation Midland, which cost £2m, ended in March this year after the Met concluded that there was insufficient evidence to arrest anyone, let alone ask prosecutors to consider a charge.Operation Midland, which cost £2m, ended in March this year after the Met concluded that there was insufficient evidence to arrest anyone, let alone ask prosecutors to consider a charge.
The findings from Henriques have been studied by senior officers and senior advisers at the Met since they were delivered four weeks ago in draft form.The findings from Henriques have been studied by senior officers and senior advisers at the Met since they were delivered four weeks ago in draft form.
Henriques is understood to have concluded in his draft report that the investigation should have ended sooner and it should have been apparent more quickly to police that Nick’s credibility was too low to form the basis of a prosecution.Henriques is understood to have concluded in his draft report that the investigation should have ended sooner and it should have been apparent more quickly to police that Nick’s credibility was too low to form the basis of a prosecution.
The Met says there is “no timetable” for the publication of limited excerpts but has said it will withhold the full report because it contains confidential and sensitive information. It is believed this refers to information about and from exonerated suspects and their accusers.The Met says there is “no timetable” for the publication of limited excerpts but has said it will withhold the full report because it contains confidential and sensitive information. It is believed this refers to information about and from exonerated suspects and their accusers.
Some in policing are understood to be concerned that Henriques has failed to take sufficient account of key factors that may explain decision-making. These would include guidelines in place at the time about how officers should investigate sex abuse cases, and a need to believe the victim unless evidence undermining their credibility emerged. Some in policing are understood to be concerned that Henriques has failed to take sufficient account of important factors that may explain decision-making. These would include guidelines that were in place at the time about how officers should investigate sex abuse cases and a need to believe the victim unless evidence undermining their credibility emerged.
On Thursday night, the Met appeared to confirm that criticised officers have raised objections. Asked if police officers who are criticised have a right of reply before the report is finalised or published, a so-called “Maxwellisation” process, the Met replied: “This is one of a number of considerations leading up to the publication of the report.” On Thursday night the Met appeared to confirm that criticised officers have raised objections. Asked if police officers who are criticised have a right of reply before the report is finalised or published, in a so-called “Maxwellisation” process, the Met replied: “This is one of a number of considerations leading up to the publication of the report.”
One source with expertise in the issues involved said: “Just because it is someone from the establishment, doesn’t mean you can write it off from the outset. You have to investigate, and if you don’t the victim will go to the IPCC [Independent Police Complaints Commission] and it will be three years before you clear your name.”One source with expertise in the issues involved said: “Just because it is someone from the establishment, doesn’t mean you can write it off from the outset. You have to investigate, and if you don’t the victim will go to the IPCC [Independent Police Complaints Commission] and it will be three years before you clear your name.”
The decision to raid Bramall’s home, distressing his then-ill and now-deceased wife, elicited considerable public sympathy for the D-Day veteran, and opprobrium against the Met. The decision to raid Bramall’s home, distressing his then-ill and now-deceased wife, elicited considerable public sympathy for the D-Day veteran and opprobrium for the Met.
The final version of the report is expected to be completed in the coming days.The final version of the report is expected to be completed in the coming days.
The findings of the report are potentially damaging to the Met’s reputation, and the controversy around Operation Midland has been one of the worst episodes of Hogan-Howe’s five year commissionership, which will end with his retirement in February 2017. The findings are potentially damaging to the Met’s reputation and the controversy around Operation Midland has been one of the worst episodes of Hogan-Howe’s five-year commissionership, which will end with his retirement in February 2017.
The claims made by Nick relate to the period between 1975 and 1984, when he was aged between seven and 16.The claims made by Nick relate to the period between 1975 and 1984, when he was aged between seven and 16.
Launching Operation Midland, the police said: “The credibility of the allegations was assessed after a process involving extended questioning of the complainant by specialist child protection detectives.” Launching Operation Midland, the police said: “The credibility of the allegations was assessed after a process involving extended questioning of the complainant by specialist child-protection detectives.”
In December 2014, the then head of Operation Midland said Nick’s claims were not just credible but true. The Met later withdrew the assertion that the claims are true, as it faced allegations that it had subjected former public servants to an alleged “baseless witch hunt”. In December 2014 the then head of Operation Midland said Nick’s claims were not just credible but true. The Met later withdrew the assertion that the claims are true, as it faced allegations that it had subjected former public servants to a “baseless witch hunt”.
Operation Midland was launched in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal which shook up the criminal justice system and showed it failing victims, resulting in the shielding of a prolific offender. Operation Midland was launched following the Jimmy Savile scandal which shook up the criminal justice system and showed it failing victims, resulting in the shielding of a prolific offender.
But the way the investigation was conducted led to vehement criticism of the Met from parts of the media, and the negative findings in Henriques’s review will likely lead to more attacks being directed at the force and Hogan-Howe, who insists his retirement is not linked to the controversy. But the way the investigation was conducted led to vehement criticism of the Met from parts of the media. The negative findings in Henriques’s review may lead to more attacks on the force and Hogan-Howe, who insists his retirement is not linked to the controversy.
Since receiving the draft report, Hogan-Howe has met with Bramall to apologise. Lady Brittan is refusing to meet Hogan-Howe until the Met shares with her in confidence the portions of the report covering her late husband, who served as home secretary under Margaret Thatcher. Lady Brittan feels it unfair that Hogan-Howe would have full knowledge of the report while she is in the dark.Since receiving the draft report, Hogan-Howe has met with Bramall to apologise. Lady Brittan is refusing to meet Hogan-Howe until the Met shares with her in confidence the portions of the report covering her late husband, who served as home secretary under Margaret Thatcher. Lady Brittan feels it unfair that Hogan-Howe would have full knowledge of the report while she is in the dark.
The Met said in a statement: “We are giving the report very thorough consideration to ensure that the publication of any material does not compromise any legal process, responsibilities or duties of care to any party.”The Met said in a statement: “We are giving the report very thorough consideration to ensure that the publication of any material does not compromise any legal process, responsibilities or duties of care to any party.”
The force added: “There are no ongoing proceedings that may delay publication of the report.”The force added: “There are no ongoing proceedings that may delay publication of the report.”
In October 2014, claims were made to the Met that a group of VIPs who were alleged to have sexually abused children had also murdered some of their victims. In October 2014 claims were made to the Met that a group of VIPs who were alleged to have sexually abused children had also murdered some of their victims.
By November 2014, the Met announced Operation Midland would investigate the claims, and involved detectives from the child abuse investigation command, and the homicide and major crime command. By November 2014 the Met announced that Operation Midland would investigate the claims and involved detectives from the child abuse investigation command and the homicide and major crime command.
In December 2014, the then head of Operation Midland, Det Supt Kenny McDonald, said experienced detectives from two teams had spoken to Nick at length and concluded his accounts were true. McDonald said in December 2014: “Nick has been spoken to by experienced officers from the child abuse team and experienced officers from the murder investigation team. They and I believe what Nick is saying is credible and true.” In December 2014 the then head of Operation Midland, Det Supt Kenny McDonald, said experienced detectives from two teams had spoken to Nick at length and concluded his accounts were true. McDonald said in December 2014: “Nick has been spoken to by experienced officers from the child abuse team and experienced officers from the murder investigation team. They and I believe what Nick is saying is credible and true.”
The Scotland Yard investigation found evidence they believed pointed to the credibility of aspects of the account given by Nick. The Scotland Yard investigation found evidence that they believed pointed to the credibility of aspects of the account given by Nick.
Nick correctly described the interior of a military premises in southern England, where he claimed abuse had taken place. The details he provided were not publicly available, and the premises are not open to the public, making it likely he had been there at some stage, police concluded. Nick correctly described the interior of a military premises in southern England, where he claimed abuse had taken place. The details he provided were not publicly available and the premises are not open to the public, making it likely he had been there at some stage, police concluded.
A review, conducted six months into the investigation by a senior Met detective superintendent with no previous connection to the team, concluded there was sufficient substance to continue the homicide and sexual abuse inquiries. It suggested further lines of inquiry.A review, conducted six months into the investigation by a senior Met detective superintendent with no previous connection to the team, concluded there was sufficient substance to continue the homicide and sexual abuse inquiries. It suggested further lines of inquiry.
Investigations into Bramall and Brittan were dropped and, by March 2016, Operation Midland was closed, after it was decided there was no evidence worthy of asking the Crown Prosecution Service to consider against Proctor.Investigations into Bramall and Brittan were dropped and, by March 2016, Operation Midland was closed, after it was decided there was no evidence worthy of asking the Crown Prosecution Service to consider against Proctor.
While being accused of being overzealous in Operation Midland, the Met is still facing investigation over multiple claims that it has covered up sex abuse claims. While being accused of being overzealous in Operation Midland, the Met is still facing investigation over multiple claims that it has covered up sex-abuse claims.