Hogan-Howe must go, says former officer
extension to his contract, which runs out in September.
Operation Midland, an investigation into an alleged VIP paedophile ring and claims that three boys were murdered, was opened to examine the allegations of a single witness, known as Nick. One senior officer said Nick’s claims were “credible and true” – something the force has now admitted was a mistake.
It emerged on Thursday that police had taken five months to check some of the most basic facts in Nick’s claims about Lord Bramall, a field marshal and former head of the Army. It took them 11 months to check Nick’s story with key witnesses, and when they did, Lord Bramall, 92, was finally ruled out as a suspect.
Sir Bernard has refused to apologise to the peer.
One of the Met’s most high-ranking former officers said: “I think he is now a dead man walking. His whole tenure is tainted by this. The lack of judgment is extraordinary. He has been found out – of course he has to go.”
Another top officer who recently left the Met said: “It is a complete shambles. You cannot apologise every time you arrest somebody and don’t bring charges, but in this instance reputations were traduced and Hogan-Howe should apologise.”
David Burrowes, of the Commons home affairs select committee, said: “The whole thing calls his judgment into question and I will be anxious to hear his answers to these questions when we get him in front of the committee.”
When asked about reports that he had offered Sir Bernard a contract extension, Mr Johnson would only say that he had “very sincere regard for Sir Bernard and his work” and that the contract was a matter for the Queen on the advice of the Home Secretary.