Police chief in failed VIP abuse shambles lined up for plum job
THE police chief who oversaw the shambolic VIP sex abuse inquiry is Boris Johnson’s preferred choice to lead the National Crime Agency, it was reported yesterday.
Bernard Hogan-Howe is being considered for the director-general role despite having failed to make the shortlist. Downing Street appears to be split over the leading candidates, who have been interviewed by Home Secretary Priti Patel.
This leaves open the possibility of Lord Hogan-Howe, a close ally of the Prime Minister, being appointed to the £223,000-a-year role, risking allegations of cronyism.
Harvey Proctor, whose life was ruined by the disastrous Operation Midland sex abuse inquiry, said choosing the former Metropolitan Police commissioner would be an ‘outrageous’ decision. ‘He presided over the worst police operation in this country for decades,’ added the former Tory MP.
The VIP abuse inquiry also besmirched the reputations of other figures including D-Day hero Lord Bramall and former home secretary Leon Brittan. Lies from fantasist Carl Beech, known as ‘Nick,’ were treated as credible by the Yard.
Since leaving the force in 2017 with an estimated £5million pension pot, Lord Hogan-Howe has taken several lucrative roles, including work for the Home Office leading an external review of a major police database blunder.
Last year he was appointed by Devon and Cornwall Police to advise on security for the G7 summit.
The 4-year-old forged a close relationship with Mr Johnson when the PM was mayor of London and in 2019 he endorsed his ally’s bid for the Tory leadership.
At the time he had described Mr Johnson as ‘incredibly effective’, adding: ‘I found him to be loyal, honourable and he did what he promised to do.’
The top job at the NCA, which leads operations against organised crime groups, became vacant last year when Dame Lynne Owens stepped down. It is seen as the second most important post in law enforcement after the Met role.
The Home Secretary is responsible for filling the position but the appointment must be approved by No 10.
A Downing Street source told the Sunday Times the Prime Minister had no formal role in the appointment process.
A Home Office spokesman said: ‘A fair and open recruitment campaign is under way.’