Met to investigate abuse allegations handling
Mounting pressure on the Metropolitan police over its mishandling of historic allegations of sexual abuse against public figures has forced it to open a judge-led inquiry.
Met announced the inquiry’s findings would be regarded as private for its commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe and only a small part of it will be published.
According to the Guardian, the review follows fierce criticism of the Met’s handling of rape and sexual abuse allegations against the former Conservative home secretary Leon Brittan and the former military chief Lord Bramall. Both men were investigated following complaints by two individuals but not charged, leading to claims they were unfairly treated and subjected to a witch-hunt.
The retired judge Sir Richard Henriques will examine how police forces can maintain the confidence of victims, while avoiding the appearance of believing any story they are told.
In a statement, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said the aim was “whether we can provide a better balance between our duty to investigate and the interests of suspects, complainants and victims.”
The Met commissioner added: “We are not afraid to learn how we can do these things better, and that’s why I’ve announced today’s review in to how we have conducted investigations in to non-recent sexual allegations involving public figures.”
The decision to open the inquiry came after several Conservative politicians criticized Hogan-Howe over the Met’s handling of sex abuse allegations against prominent politicians and other senior public figures in the Operation Midland investigation.
“There have also been calls for Hogan-Howe’s contract not to be extended unless he apologizes for the force’s alleged failings,” the Guardian wrote.
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