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Operation Midland: Complainant 'Nick' investigated for attempting to pervert course of justice - as it happened | |
(35 minutes later) | |
5.01pm GMT | |
17:01 | |
4.40pm GMT | |
16:40 | |
Rajeev Syal | |
Harvey Proctor said he has accepted an apology from Hogan-Howe but that the inquiry had had an irreversible impact on his life, family and friends. | |
Today, without prejudice, I accepted an unreserved apology from Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service) Commissioner, in respect of Operation Midland. | |
However, I have informed him the detrimental impact of the investigation on the life of my family, friends and myself was irreversible. | |
This apology does not detract from the adverse effect and hurt of Operation Midland on my life and me personally. I hope the police in such cases in future will always test the credibility of a complainant before someone is thrust into the public limelight.” | |
My efforts in challenging the Metropolitan police service from the beginning over 18 months ago have not been for selfish reasons but in the hope that anybody now and in the future can be spared the trauma that I have experienced . | |
I regret that it has taken someone in a high-profile position, albeit unwanted, to make an impact, but it is a moral victory for all potential defendants from all walks of life. I am proud of the little role I have played. | |
I hope the police will learn from this, so the glaring mistakes identified from Operation Midland will not be repeated. | |
I have always had huge respect for the policing of our country, and admiration for the work police officers do. This is undiminished. | |
I hope the Home Office will look at these matters carefully and bring forward proposals to amend the current system where a complainant, even a fantasist and liar, can be given life long anonymity and financially benefit while the alleged suspect is routinely fingered and named by the police and in my case left destitute. | |
4.21pm GMT | 4.21pm GMT |
16:21 | 16:21 |
The NSPCC has expressed fears the report could prevent victims coming forward. | The NSPCC has expressed fears the report could prevent victims coming forward. |
A spokeswoman for the charity said: | A spokeswoman for the charity said: |
Lessons must be learned from this sorry episode, and it is extremely disappointing that this report has not been published in full. | Lessons must be learned from this sorry episode, and it is extremely disappointing that this report has not been published in full. |
It takes unimaginable bravery for victims to come forward – we are concerned that this report’s recommendations could undermine the confidence of victims to do so, and we cannot allow it to result in a return to the dark days when we looked the other way and failed to confront the horrors of abuse and bring those responsible to justice. | It takes unimaginable bravery for victims to come forward – we are concerned that this report’s recommendations could undermine the confidence of victims to do so, and we cannot allow it to result in a return to the dark days when we looked the other way and failed to confront the horrors of abuse and bring those responsible to justice. |
It makes very difficult reading for the Metropolitan police, who despite good intentions at the outset, failed to admit they had got it wrong when it became clear that the allegations were unfounded. | It makes very difficult reading for the Metropolitan police, who despite good intentions at the outset, failed to admit they had got it wrong when it became clear that the allegations were unfounded. |
The closure of the investigation amid immense media fanfare did a huge disservice to those who have been abused in childhood, and risked denting the public’s willingness to take action to protect children. | The closure of the investigation amid immense media fanfare did a huge disservice to those who have been abused in childhood, and risked denting the public’s willingness to take action to protect children. |
4.08pm GMT | 4.08pm GMT |
16:08 | 16:08 |
Rajeev Syal | Rajeev Syal |
Henriques said it was “unlikely” that the government would pass an anonymity before charge law, because it would enrage tabloid editors. | Henriques said it was “unlikely” that the government would pass an anonymity before charge law, because it would enrage tabloid editors. |
However, the government should pass an anonymity before arrest law, he said. | However, the government should pass an anonymity before arrest law, he said. |
In another recommendation which will be challenged by some in the media, Henriques says police should not release any details such as age or where a suspect lives to the press or the public before an arrest, bail, search or interview of a suspect. | In another recommendation which will be challenged by some in the media, Henriques says police should not release any details such as age or where a suspect lives to the press or the public before an arrest, bail, search or interview of a suspect. |
At present, the age and the town where a suspect lives is often disclosed to the media. | At present, the age and the town where a suspect lives is often disclosed to the media. |
3.55pm GMT | 3.55pm GMT |
15:55 | 15:55 |
Henriques also reviewed another investigation, Operation Vincente, an inquiry into a separate allegation that Lord Brittan raped a 19-year-old woman. The retired judge found it “involved a grave error of judgment” and it was “obvious” while the peer was still alive that there was not enough evidence to charge him. He said; | Henriques also reviewed another investigation, Operation Vincente, an inquiry into a separate allegation that Lord Brittan raped a 19-year-old woman. The retired judge found it “involved a grave error of judgment” and it was “obvious” while the peer was still alive that there was not enough evidence to charge him. He said; |
It was also manifest that he was very poorly. I am in no doubt that he should have been informed during his lifetime that no action would be taken. | It was also manifest that he was very poorly. I am in no doubt that he should have been informed during his lifetime that no action would be taken. |
In response Met commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said the case against Brittan should “have been told before he died that the CPS full code test had not been met and that there was no intention to prosecute him”. | In response Met commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said the case against Brittan should “have been told before he died that the CPS full code test had not been met and that there was no intention to prosecute him”. |
3.39pm GMT | 3.39pm GMT |
15:39 | 15:39 |
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Steve Rodhouse, the senior officer in charge of Operation Midland, is one of five officers referred to police regulator, the IPCC, in the light of today’s report. | Deputy Assistant Commissioner Steve Rodhouse, the senior officer in charge of Operation Midland, is one of five officers referred to police regulator, the IPCC, in the light of today’s report. |
Rodhouse has responded in a statement. He said: | Rodhouse has responded in a statement. He said: |
I do not believe that I, or indeed any officer within Operation Midland, have committed any misconduct. While it is right that lessons should be learned from Operation Midland I want to emphasise that my colleagues and I investigated the allegations made with the best of intentions. Indeed I am grateful that Sir Richard himself recorded that the Operation Midland officers ‘conducted this investigation in a conscientious manner and with propriety and honesty’. If a further investigation is required then I will, of course, continue fully to co-operate with it. | I do not believe that I, or indeed any officer within Operation Midland, have committed any misconduct. While it is right that lessons should be learned from Operation Midland I want to emphasise that my colleagues and I investigated the allegations made with the best of intentions. Indeed I am grateful that Sir Richard himself recorded that the Operation Midland officers ‘conducted this investigation in a conscientious manner and with propriety and honesty’. If a further investigation is required then I will, of course, continue fully to co-operate with it. |
3.22pm GMT | 3.22pm GMT |
15:22 | 15:22 |
Recommendation 10 of the report says: | Recommendation 10 of the report says: |
A suspect should have the right to anonymity prior to arrest enforced by statute and criminal sanctions. | A suspect should have the right to anonymity prior to arrest enforced by statute and criminal sanctions. |
This tallies with what Hogan-Howe himself has previously called for. | This tallies with what Hogan-Howe himself has previously called for. |
3.13pm GMT | 3.13pm GMT |
15:13 | 15:13 |
Rajeev Syal | Rajeev Syal |
A spokesperson for the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who has the power to sack the Met’s commissioner and instigate Met inquiries, said that a series of extremely serious errors were made by the Met which threaten the trust of Londoners in its police force. | A spokesperson for the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who has the power to sack the Met’s commissioner and instigate Met inquiries, said that a series of extremely serious errors were made by the Met which threaten the trust of Londoners in its police force. |
It is absolutely vital that victims of rape and sexual assault feel confident to come forward and report crimes and that all allegations are treated seriously by the Met. MOPAC (Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime) will work closely with the Met and other key agencies to ensure victims are always fully supported when they report a crime. | It is absolutely vital that victims of rape and sexual assault feel confident to come forward and report crimes and that all allegations are treated seriously by the Met. MOPAC (Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime) will work closely with the Met and other key agencies to ensure victims are always fully supported when they report a crime. |
The mayor will now be seeking full assurances from the Met commissioner on the consistency of the quality of the force’s investigations into sexual offences and guarantees that the failings of past investigations will not be repeated. | The mayor will now be seeking full assurances from the Met commissioner on the consistency of the quality of the force’s investigations into sexual offences and guarantees that the failings of past investigations will not be repeated. |
3.01pm GMT | 3.01pm GMT |
15:01 | 15:01 |
Complainant 'Nick' faces possible criminal charges | Complainant 'Nick' faces possible criminal charges |
Vikram Dodd | Vikram Dodd |
The complainant referred for criminal investigation is ‘Nick’, whose allegations initiated Operation Midland, police have confirmed. | The complainant referred for criminal investigation is ‘Nick’, whose allegations initiated Operation Midland, police have confirmed. |
The Met said it has referred an allegation of attempting to pervert the course of justice to Northumbria police. | The Met said it has referred an allegation of attempting to pervert the course of justice to Northumbria police. |
Updated | Updated |
at 3.04pm GMT | at 3.04pm GMT |
2.54pm GMT | 2.54pm GMT |
14:54 | 14:54 |
Matthew Taylor | Matthew Taylor |
The report says that the investigation could have been carried out without those accused by Nick learning of it | The report says that the investigation could have been carried out without those accused by Nick learning of it |
It said the principal cause of the mistakes in Operation Midland was the decision to search several premises, which it described as “a grave error of judgement”. | It said the principal cause of the mistakes in Operation Midland was the decision to search several premises, which it described as “a grave error of judgement”. |
Henriques found these searches were carried out “when there were no reasonable grounds to believe an indictable offence had been committed”. | Henriques found these searches were carried out “when there were no reasonable grounds to believe an indictable offence had been committed”. |
The applications for search warrants had several inaccuracies. These included: | The applications for search warrants had several inaccuracies. These included: |
Other errors identified in the report included | Other errors identified in the report included |
Updated | Updated |
at 2.57pm GMT | at 2.57pm GMT |
2.46pm GMT | 2.46pm GMT |
14:46 | 14:46 |
Five officers referred to IPCC | Five officers referred to IPCC |
The Met has said it is referring the conduct of five officers to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in the light of the Henriques report. One of them is a deputy assistant commissioner. | The Met has said it is referring the conduct of five officers to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in the light of the Henriques report. One of them is a deputy assistant commissioner. |
IPCC deputy chair Rachel Cerfontyne said: | IPCC deputy chair Rachel Cerfontyne said: |
We were advised earlier today that the Metropolitan police is to refer the conduct of five officers, ranging in rank from sergeant to deputy assistant commissioner, to the IPCC in relation to Operation Midland. We understand the conduct of a deputy assistant commissioner will also be referred to the IPCC regarding a different operation. | We were advised earlier today that the Metropolitan police is to refer the conduct of five officers, ranging in rank from sergeant to deputy assistant commissioner, to the IPCC in relation to Operation Midland. We understand the conduct of a deputy assistant commissioner will also be referred to the IPCC regarding a different operation. |
We have assembled an assessment team to analyse relevant documentation to be supplied by the force, and provide me with a recommendation. Once I receive that recommendation, I will decide whether there will be an investigation and, if so, what form that investigation will take. I am aware of the significant public interest in these matters and I will announce that decision once I have made it and all concerned parties have been notified. | We have assembled an assessment team to analyse relevant documentation to be supplied by the force, and provide me with a recommendation. Once I receive that recommendation, I will decide whether there will be an investigation and, if so, what form that investigation will take. I am aware of the significant public interest in these matters and I will announce that decision once I have made it and all concerned parties have been notified. |
We have not received any complaints from individuals who may feel they were adversely affected by the actions of officers involved in Operation Midland but, as in all cases, were such complaints to be referred to the IPCC they would be given due consideration. | We have not received any complaints from individuals who may feel they were adversely affected by the actions of officers involved in Operation Midland but, as in all cases, were such complaints to be referred to the IPCC they would be given due consideration. |
2.31pm GMT | 2.31pm GMT |
14:31 | 14:31 |
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has released a lengthy statement in response to the report. | Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has released a lengthy statement in response to the report. |
This is just a part of it: | This is just a part of it: |
Forty-three failings are identified in Operation Midland. The principal errors were: | Forty-three failings are identified in Operation Midland. The principal errors were: |
To believe the complainant Nick was a credible person for too long; | To believe the complainant Nick was a credible person for too long; |
To say publicly that the allegations were credible and true; | To say publicly that the allegations were credible and true; |
To obtain search warrants with flawed and incomplete information; and | To obtain search warrants with flawed and incomplete information; and |
Not to have closed the investigation sooner. | Not to have closed the investigation sooner. |
I accept on behalf of the Metropolitan police accountability for these failures as I accept accountability for failures in any of our operations and investigations. | I accept on behalf of the Metropolitan police accountability for these failures as I accept accountability for failures in any of our operations and investigations. |
It is a matter of professional and personal dismay that the suspects in the investigation were pursued for so long when it could have been concluded much earlier. | It is a matter of professional and personal dismay that the suspects in the investigation were pursued for so long when it could have been concluded much earlier. |
I am today issuing a public apology to Lord Bramall, Lady Brittan and Harvey Proctor for the intrusion into their homes and the impact of Operation Midland on their lives. The public identification of suspects compounded the harm of our investigative failures. | I am today issuing a public apology to Lord Bramall, Lady Brittan and Harvey Proctor for the intrusion into their homes and the impact of Operation Midland on their lives. The public identification of suspects compounded the harm of our investigative failures. |
They have all suffered as a result of the investigation and our description of the allegations as ‘credible and true’. We should not have said this, and we should have tested the credibility of the complainant more rigorously before conducting the searches. | They have all suffered as a result of the investigation and our description of the allegations as ‘credible and true’. We should not have said this, and we should have tested the credibility of the complainant more rigorously before conducting the searches. |
He goes on to highlight the pressure he says officers were under: | He goes on to highlight the pressure he says officers were under: |
These investigations – and those in Operation Yewtree many of which led to convictions - started at a time when there was significant concern that numerous sexual attacks on children and others had been ignored, including by the Metropolitan Police in decades gone by. | These investigations – and those in Operation Yewtree many of which led to convictions - started at a time when there was significant concern that numerous sexual attacks on children and others had been ignored, including by the Metropolitan Police in decades gone by. |
Even worse were the allegations that abuse had been covered up by the establishment, including the government. | Even worse were the allegations that abuse had been covered up by the establishment, including the government. |
It was in the context of the creation of an independent inquiry, together with parliamentary and media scrutiny that officers made their judgment. | It was in the context of the creation of an independent inquiry, together with parliamentary and media scrutiny that officers made their judgment. |
I cannot, and do not expect the sympathy of the suspects in these cases. But I do believe that it is necessary to understand the pressure on the investigators at this time. | I cannot, and do not expect the sympathy of the suspects in these cases. But I do believe that it is necessary to understand the pressure on the investigators at this time. |
2.23pm GMT | 2.23pm GMT |
14:23 | 14:23 |
Report finds Operation Midland riddled with errors | Report finds Operation Midland riddled with errors |
The report by retired judge Sir Richard Henriques into Operation Midland says that officers misled a judge to get search warrants and identified 43 failings. | The report by retired judge Sir Richard Henriques into Operation Midland says that officers misled a judge to get search warrants and identified 43 failings. |
It says the investigation was riddled with errors, and a complainant will be investigated for attempting to pervert the course of justice. The report does not name the complainant but the main allegations that triggered the operation came from a man known as “Nick”. | It says the investigation was riddled with errors, and a complainant will be investigated for attempting to pervert the course of justice. The report does not name the complainant but the main allegations that triggered the operation came from a man known as “Nick”. |
Five officers, including four detectives and a deputy assistant commissioner, will be referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission for failings. | Five officers, including four detectives and a deputy assistant commissioner, will be referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission for failings. |
In his report, Sir Richard Henriques calls for an inquiry by the IPCC into the false grounds used to get search warrants. . | In his report, Sir Richard Henriques calls for an inquiry by the IPCC into the false grounds used to get search warrants. . |
The Met commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, said he accepted there had been “serious failings” and that the investigation should have been closed sooner. | The Met commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, said he accepted there had been “serious failings” and that the investigation should have been closed sooner. |
Updated | Updated |
at 2.26pm GMT | at 2.26pm GMT |
2.13pm GMT | 2.13pm GMT |
14:13 | 14:13 |
Hogan-Howe apologises for 'significant failings' | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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. | 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: | 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. | For these failings by the MPS (Metropolitan police service) I would like to offer you now an unreserved apology. |
2.03pm GMT | 2.03pm GMT |
14:03 | 14:03 |
Vikram Dodd | Vikram Dodd |
The key questions we are waiting for from the report are: | The key questions we are waiting for from the report are: |
1.57pm GMT | 1.57pm GMT |
13:57 | 13:57 |
Vikram Dodd | Vikram Dodd |
The media are gathering at a location in south London for the release of the report. | 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: | On a board stating the Met’s values is a slogan: |
We will learn from experience and find ways to be even better. | We will learn from experience and find ways to be even better. |
Also: | Also: |
We will build trust by listening and responding. | We will build trust by listening and responding. |
1.49pm GMT | 1.49pm GMT |
13:49 | 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. | 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.... | 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. |