“Corruption” allegedly closed operations into MPs, council officers, even a police officer
By Mark Watts and Mark Conrad | 17 September 2015
“Allegation that an MP was only charged with specimen charges for child sex offences and not more numerous or serious offences” – IPCC statement
Police are under investigation over another 13 cases where operations into claims of child sex abuse by VIPs were allegedly halted because of “corruption”.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) today announced the new set of investigations, bringing the total to 31 so far.
All but two of the cases concern the Metropolitan Police Service. One of the latest set of 13 relates to Essex Police.
In a statement, the IPCC said that it would oversee the investigations to be conducted by the Met’s directorate of professional standards.
The majority of these investigations into closed police operations stem from allegations made by retired Met officers, the IPCC said. They cover allegations about politicians – including MPs – council officers, at least one government official, and even a police officer.
Special Branch is alleged to have interfered with some operations, while police officers were said to have been threatened with the Official Secrets Act in at least one case.
Jennifer Izekor, an IPCC commissioner, said: “We are continuing to receive further referrals from the Met and have now assessed that a further 12 require management by the IPCC in addition to one from Essex Police. Our investigators will now oversee these investigations and ensure they meet our robust standards.”
The IPCC said that all the cases date from the 1970’s to the 2000’s.
Exaro revealed last December how police made private admissions on a closed online forum for officers that there were “cover-ups” for prominent people who were paedophiles – including MPs.
Following the disclosure, Exaro revealed that former police officers were to submit a dossier to Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, Met commissioner, on closed operations.
In March, the IPCC announced an initial set of 14 Met cases to be investigated.
The IPCC announced later the same month a further three investigations into closed Met cases.
It also announced a similar investigation in relation to Greater Manchester Police and the late Sir Cyril Smith, the former Liberal MP who died in 2010.
Among the new investigations is one into an allegation that “an MP was only charged with specimen charges for child sex offences and not more numerous or serious offences.”
The IPCC summarised the 13 further investigations…
1) Allegation that a prosecution against a government official who was in possession of indecent images of children was not pursued following instruction from senior officers and lawyers.
2) Allegation that an investigation into a paedophile ring in south-west London in the 1970’s was shut down prematurely on instruction of senior or high-ranking officers.
3) Allegation that evidence, relating to child abuse at a youth club in 1980’s and 1990’s that involved politicians and council officers, went missing from a London police station.
4) Allegation that an MP was only charged with specimen charges for child sex offences and not more numerous or serious offences.
5) Allegation that paperwork and evidence relating to child sex offences involving an MP disappeared and the MP was released without charge.
6) Allegation of a failure to investigate child sex offences involving an MP due to instructions from senior or high-ranking officers.
7) Allegations about attempts by Special Branch in the 1970’s to interfere in an investigation that would have revealed an MP to be involved in child sex offences.
8) Allegations an investigation into a west London paedophile ring in the 1980’s had evidence removed and was threatened with closure by senior officer if it uncovered evidence against VIPs.
9) Allegation that an MP was arrested and then released without charge on the instruction of senior officers following an investigation into a south London paedophile ring in the 1980’s. Also alleges officers were threatened with breaking the Official Secrets Act if they spoke of the events.
10) Allegation that an investigation into child sex abuse in central London in the 1980’s was halted when it became apparent that an MP was involved.
11) Allegation that an investigation into child sex offences committed by an MP was taken over by officers from Special Branch and then not progressed.
12) Allegation that an officer serving with the Met was involved in a paedophile ring in north London and that evidence was covered up by Special Branch.
13) Allegation that intelligence was provided by a witness, during a separate investigation, indicating an MP was involved in child sex abuse and that this was not investigated. (Essex)
The latest developments come as the Met’s ‘Operation Midland’ continues to investigate claims by a witness – known only as ‘Nick’ to protect his identity – of child sex abuse and murder by a group of MPs and other prominent men.
Update 18 September 2015: The Met today confirmed that it had referred 18 further cases to the IPCC, which is yet to decide whether to oversee investigations into them, writes Tim Wood.
It said in a statement that these 18 separate cases concerned “historical allegations of impropriety by police officers when dealing with sexual abuse in the period 1970-2005.”
It added: “We would encourage anyone who has information, or knowledge of how these historical cases were investigated to come forward and assist with the investigations.”
Related Stories : Child sex abuse, ‘Fernbridge’ and ‘Fairbank’: Exaro story thread
