On 17 October, the latest, and the worst, independent report on the problems of the Metropolitan Police was published.
It showed that officers suspected of serious criminal offences, including sexual assault and domestic abuse, had been allowed to escape justice. In some cases multiple offences were involved. Hundreds of corrupt and rogue officers are at present in the ranks of the Met.
Alistair Lexden raised these shocking findings in the Lords on 19 October. He said: “Does not this report make the most painful reading? Painful for the Government, who have done little to bear down on police misconduct; painful for fine and trustworthy police officers, who have discharged their duty without fault over many years; painful above all for those who have served as Metropolitan Police Commissioners.”
Successive Police Commissioners have much to answer for. “They have let down their fine, trustworthy colleagues, by turning a blind eye to the spread of crime and misconduct within the Met. There can be no doubt that the shocking features of Met activity set out in this report go back years.”
“Will we hear explanations and apologies from those who have served as Metropolitan Police Commissioners in recent years?”
Shamefully, they prefer to remain silent and out of sight. The new Commissioner has promised tough action to root out the many bad officers. Will he deliver? That is now the crucial question.
