Metropolitan Police ‘too slow to learn‘ from bungled inquiry into VIP paedo ring lies
THE Metropolitan Police has been accused by a watchdog of being too slow to learn from its bungled inquiry into bogus claims of a VIP child sex murders ring.
It took three years for the London force to “boldly” start implementing recommendations made in a landmark report into the Operation Midland fiasco, says the policing inspectorate.
Retired High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques made 25 key recommendations in his October 2016 report on Met investigations into VIP’s accused of sex crimes.
But HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said in a report published today that the Met had made “slow progress” acting on Sir Richard’s recommendation.
HM Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr said: “The Henriques report made uncomfortable reading for the Met and the force has been slow to learn the lessons.”
He said it took until October 2019 for the force to start taking bolder actions “to learn the lessons.”
Mr Parr warned that mistakes highlighted in the Henriques report needed to become part of the police’s “corporate memory” to avoid the risk of another Operation Midland.
Lying fantasist Carl Beech, 51, was jailed for 18 years in July last year after being convicted at Newcastle crown court of perverting the course of justice and fraud.
He falsely accused Tory grandees Sir Edward Heath, Lord Brittan, as well as D-Day veteran Lord Bramall and former MP Harvey Proctor, of being part of a paedophile ring which murdered three boys.
Gullible detectives treated the twisted lies told by Beech about dignitaries as “credible and true.”
Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson – who earlier used Parliamentary privilege to claim there was a paedophile ring at Number Ten – was a key advocate of Beech.
During their “witch hunt,” Midland cops obtained warrants to search the homes of Lord Bramall, Lord Brittan and Mr Proctor after misleading a magistrate about the strength of their evidence.
'WITCH HUNT'
Five officers, including a Met deputy assistant commissioner, were referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct, though no action was taken against any of them.
The Henriques report recommended police cease the policy of automatically believing all complainants
But today’s inspection report on the Met’s response to the Henriques inquiry, says a small minority of cops still don’t understand the concept of sex allegations being recorded but impartially investigated.
The inspectorate’s Mr Parr said: “We found that most officers understand what’s expected of them – that they record the crime allegation then investigate it impartially – but a small minority don’t.
“The police have a responsibility to encourage victims to come forward – and that means creating a sense of public confidence that complaints will be taken seriously.
“Once an investigation is underway however, it is essential that the police approach it with an open mind.”
Inspectors examined current Met procedures on search warrants, investigation reviews, training and release of information.
Their report makes 12 recommendations on the Met’s response to the Henriques inquiry.
The Met said it was “determined to ensure that the mistakes of Operation Midland can never happen again.”
They claimed to have “set about implementing many of Sir Richard Henriques’ recommendations immediately” but added they noted criticism in the inspection report.
most read in uk news
The force said they had been “deliberately cautious” to avoid impacting the Northumbria Police probe into Beech.
Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick apologised to those framed by Beech during the Midland probe.
She added: “The MPS took Sir Richard’s report extremely seriously and quickly recognised that many of the recommendations would affect policing nationwide.”
- GOT a news story? RING us on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]