Met Police officers face probe into handling of Stephen Port murders case
Five current and three former Met Police officers are being investigated over the handling of Stephen Port's murders.
Port, known as the 'Grindr killer', drugged four young men with GHB and murdered them between 2014 and 2015, dumping their bodies near his home in East London. The deaths of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Jack Taylor and Daniel Whitworth were not thought to be suspicious until the final death.
The police force faced fierce criticism from the victims' families following Port's conviction, where he was told he would spend the rest of his life in jail with a rare whole life sentence. The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed on Thursday that an investigation had been launched into eight officers who worked on the case.
All eight have been told they're under investigation for gross misconduct, the IOPC said, over alleged breaches of professional police standards relating to equality, diversity, courtesy and integrity. Five - of which three are still serving Met officers - have previously been looked into when a probe was launched under the IOPC's former name, the IPCC.
Anthony Walgate was 23 (PA)
25-year-old Jack Taylor (PA)An IOPC spokesperson on Thursday said that 3,500 documents had now been reviewed containing evidence from Port's trial, the original investigation and the 2021 inquest, as well as the original inquests held into the men's deaths at the time. IOPC regional director Steve Noonan said they recognised the investigation was a long time in the making, but that it contained "complex matters".
Man in 30s dies after being stabbed in park sparking police probe
"This does not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will automatically follow," he said. “Based on the evidence, at the conclusion of our investigation we will decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.”
News of the investigation was welcomed by the victims' families. A lawyer speaking on their behalf said they they were "cautiously encouraged" by the update, following the "history of this case and frustrations of the past".
Gabriel Kovari, 22 (PA)
Daniel Whitworth, 21 (PA)Solicitor Neil Hudgell said: “This latest development is testament to the determination and perseverance the families have shown over the past eight years with regards to the Met Police’s investigations into the loss of their loved ones. We would not have reached this point without their dedication to ensuring to ensure full transparency and accountability.”
Families of three of Port’s victims received payouts from the Met after settling civil claims. Basic errors by a string of detectives left Port free to carry out the series of murders, as well as drug and sexually assault more than a dozen other men. Inquest jurors found in 2021 that “fundamental failures” by the police were likely to have contributed to the deaths of three of the men.
Commander Jon Savell from the Met reiterated the force’s “heartfelt” apologies for its blunders in the case. “The whole of the Met is committed to improving our investigations, our relationships and the trust people have in us to keep them safe," he said. “Since the deaths of Anthony, Gabriel, Daniel and Jack we continue to work hard to ensure the service we provide is better while understanding we have more to do.
“Learning and recommendations from the IOPC, His Majesty’s Coroner, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services and our LGBT+ Independent Advisory Group of community members have enabled us to make a range of improvements so far.
“These include restoring full time LGBT+ liaison officers across the Met to focus on working with LGBT+ people and organisations in London, how we respond to and investigate unexpected deaths, and family liaison.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
