Ex-Met Police top cop claimed to have branded rape complaints as 'regretful sex'
The former acting head of the Metropolitan Police has been referred to the police watchdog over claims he described the “bulk” of rape complaints as “regretful sex”.
Sir Stephen House is said to have made the comments to a Home Office advisor at a Scotland Yard meeting in January 2022 when he was Deputy Commissioner.
Professor Betsy Stanko alleges Sir Stephen made the remarks to her and other top officers as they discussed her work .
She told Channel 4 News: “It felt as if he [Sir Stephen] was trying to minimise what the problem was, not taking it seriously.
"He used terms to describe - or a term to describe - what he thought the bulk of the rape complaints were, which was the term “regretful sex".
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Sir Stephen has denied the allegations, saying he found the term “regretful sex” “abhorrent” and welcomed an IOPC investigation.
It comes after the force faces one of the most difficult periods in its history following the murder of Sarah Everard by serving Met Police officer Wayne Couzens and the jailing of serial rapist PC David Carrick.
Professor Betsy Stanko alleges Sir Stephen made the remarks to her and other top officers as they discussed her work (Jonathan Buckmaster)A major review of the Met’s culture is currently being conducted by Dame Louise Casey.
Professor Stanko, is an advisor appointed by the Home Office to conduct ‘Operation Soteria Bluestone’ – a major review, launched in 2021, aimed at increasing the number of rape cases making it to court.
Its latest report in December found widespread failings in police Rape and Sexual Offence units and a culture of disbelieving victims.
Professor Stanko’s research concluded that ingrained prejudice in the police was part of the problem.
On her view of the meaning of “regretful sex”, Stanko said “The only way I understand the term regretful sex - and it was said by officers elsewhere, in the other forces that we visited and researched - it is something about the victim. Again, the victim is mistaken."
Sir Stephen House was Deputy Commissioner at the time and went on to be Acting Commissioner of the Met Police when Dame Cressida Dick resigned following a string of scandals. .
It comes after the force faces one of the most difficult periods in its history following the murder of Sarah Everard by serving Met Police officer Wayne Couzens and the jailing of serial rapist PC David Carrick (AFP via Getty Images)Sir Stephen said: “I have dedicated over four decades of public service to protecting the public from predatory offenders.
“I categorically deny using the phrase "regretful sex". These are not words I have ever used in relation to rape or sexual assault and the reason I am so certain that I did not say this is because I simply do not believe it; I find the phrase abhorrent.
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“I find this characterisation of me to be deeply upsetting, and colleagues who know me know how untrue it is.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: "Rape and sexual offences are among the most traumatic of crimes, and it is vital that victims know they will be taken seriously and their allegations investigated thoroughly.
"Now it has been referred to the IOPC, the Home Secretary has agreed with National Police Chiefs’ Council chair Martin Hewitt that Sir Stephen House steps back from the review into the productivity of policing."
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