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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2016/nov/08/operation-midland-report-into-mets-sex-abuse-inquiry-published-live-updates
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| Operation Midland: Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe apologises for 'significant failings' - live updates | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.13pm GMT | |
| 14:13 | |
| Hogan-Howe apologises for 'significant failings' | |
| It has been confirmed that the Met commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, has apologised, ahead of publication of the report, to the former Conservative MP, Harvey Proctor, who was one of those investigated by Operation Midland. | |
| The head of Scotland Yard, said he was apologising after “significant failings” by the Met were identified in the report. | |
| In a letter dated 8 November, Hogan-Howe wrote: | |
| Now that we have received the final version of Sir Richard Henriques’s report I am writing to you formally to convey my apologies for the failings by the Metropolitan police service that Sir Richard has identified in the way in which we handled Operation Midland in which you were a suspect. | |
| Sir Richard has concluded, and I accept, that there were significant failings in the way that the Operation Midland investigation was conducted. | |
| Hogan-Howe told Proctor the approach adopted in believing the complainant at the outset was “wrong”, and that “insufficient attempts” were made to test the credibility of the complainant. He wrote: | |
| While it was right that the allegations had to be investigated, the effect of the approach adopted was to unnecessarily prolong the length of the investigation. | |
| Hogan-Howe also said it was “wrong” to have searched Proctor’s property, adding: | |
| For these failings by the MPS (Metropolitan police service) I would like to offer you now an unreserved apology. | |
| 2.03pm GMT | |
| 14:03 | |
| Vikram Dodd | |
| The key questions we are waiting for from the report are: | |
| 1.57pm GMT | |
| 13:57 | |
| Vikram Dodd | |
| The media are gathering at a location in south London for the release of the report. | |
| On a board stating the Met’s values is a slogan: | |
| We will learn from experience and find ways to be even better. | |
| Also: | |
| We will build trust by listening and responding. | |
| 1.49pm GMT | |
| 13:49 | |
| The BBC’s home affairs correspondent, Danny Shaw, reports that the former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, who was one of those wrongfully accused of being part of a VIP paedophile ring, has received an apology from the Met police commissioner. | |
| Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe is reported to have apologised to former MP Harvey Proctor over "significant" failings in Op #Midland.... | |
| 1.42pm GMT | 1.42pm GMT |
| 13:42 | 13:42 |
| This is a useful graphic, explaining the people involved in/connected with Operation Midland: | This is a useful graphic, explaining the people involved in/connected with Operation Midland: |
| 1.30pm GMT | 1.30pm GMT |
| 13:30 | 13:30 |
| The review into how Scotland Yard handled claims that prominent establishment figures sexually abused and killed children between the mid-1970s and mid-1980s will be published at 2.15pm today. | The review into how Scotland Yard handled claims that prominent establishment figures sexually abused and killed children between the mid-1970s and mid-1980s will be published at 2.15pm today. |
| The report into the Met’s Operation Midland, which investigated allegations that the likes of former military chief, Lord Bramall, former home secretary, Leon Brittan, and former Tory MP Harvey Proctor were involved in a Westminster paedophile ring is expected to make difficult reading for the force. | The report into the Met’s Operation Midland, which investigated allegations that the likes of former military chief, Lord Bramall, former home secretary, Leon Brittan, and former Tory MP Harvey Proctor were involved in a Westminster paedophile ring is expected to make difficult reading for the force. |
| All of the accused denied the allegations and were subsequently cleared of any involvement without any arrests having ever been made. | All of the accused denied the allegations and were subsequently cleared of any involvement without any arrests having ever been made. |
| Operation Midland, which cost £2m and was based on the claims by a lone complainant known as “Nick”, closed in March amid widespread criticism and calls for the Met police commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe, to resign. | Operation Midland, which cost £2m and was based on the claims by a lone complainant known as “Nick”, closed in March amid widespread criticism and calls for the Met police commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe, to resign. |
| Hogan-Howe ordered retired high court judge Sir Richard Henriques to conduct an inquiry into the operation after an outcry over police actions and decision-making in the case, which saw officers obtain warrants to raid the homes of suspects and search their possessions. | Hogan-Howe ordered retired high court judge Sir Richard Henriques to conduct an inquiry into the operation after an outcry over police actions and decision-making in the case, which saw officers obtain warrants to raid the homes of suspects and search their possessions. |
| There have already been complaints that the full report will not be published with the Met citing the need to withhold “confidential and sensitive information”. | There have already been complaints that the full report will not be published with the Met citing the need to withhold “confidential and sensitive information”. |
| Proctor has accused the police of a cover-up, demanding that the report be released in full. | Proctor has accused the police of a cover-up, demanding that the report be released in full. |
| Brittan’s widow, Lady Brittan, and Proctor have also criticised the decision to publish the findings on US election day. Proctor said: “They have chosen this date deliberately as a PR campaign, as part of their PR campaign to cover up the disaster that was Operation Midland.” | Brittan’s widow, Lady Brittan, and Proctor have also criticised the decision to publish the findings on US election day. Proctor said: “They have chosen this date deliberately as a PR campaign, as part of their PR campaign to cover up the disaster that was Operation Midland.” |
| After the report’s publication, Hogan-Howe will be holding a press conference at 2.45pm. | After the report’s publication, Hogan-Howe will be holding a press conference at 2.45pm. |