Claims Met police covered up child abuse spark three more inquiries
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Version 0 of 1. The police watchdog has launched three further investigations into claims that corrupt police officers covered up allegations relating to a VIP child sex abuse ring. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it was looking at 17 allegations of a police coverup in relation to child sex offences from the 1970s to the 2000s. The watchdog said it was examining claims police dropped an investigation into alleged child sex abuse committed by MPs, judges, celebrities, police, actors and religious figures. In a statement the IPCC said the initial police investigation had “gathered evidence against MPs, judges, media entertainers, police, actors, clergy and others”. Criminal proceedings were prepared, but two months later an officer was called in by a senior Metropolitan police officer and told to drop the case, it has been alleged. The IPCC is also looking into an allegation about police actions during a child abuse investigation in the 1980s and another complaint about the same investigation – although no details were given. The watchdog said all the allegations related to “suppressing evidence, hindering or halting investigations” and “covering up the offences because of the involvement of members of parliament and police officers”. The IPCC last week announced investigations into 14 allegations. It is also assessing a further six referrals it has received from the Met on similar matters. |