Probe into Met police officers over killer Port case

FIVE Metropolitan Police officers and three former officers are being investigated for gross misconduct over the handling of the investigation into serial killer Stephen Port, the police watchdog said.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct

(IOPC) said the officers are being investigated for possible breaches of police professional standards, relating variously to equality and diversity, duties and responsibilities, authority respect and courtesy and honesty and integrity.

The IOPC opened a re-investigation in 2022 into the way the Met initially handled its investigations into the murders of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor in Barking, east London.

In the original Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation, the IOPC’S predecessor, which was completed in August 2018, the actions of multiple officers were examined and 17 of those were subjects in the investigation. When interviewed, 16 of the 17 officers chose to provide written accounts.

Five of the officers under investigation for gross misconduct were subjects in the initial IPCC probe.

IOPC regional director Steve Noonan said: “Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of Anthony, Gabriel, Daniel and Jack who were tragically murdered by Stephen Port in Barking.

“Though we have found an indication that the behaviour of these eight individuals may have amounted to gross misconduct, this does not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will automatically follow.

“Based on the evidence at the conclusion of our investigation, we will decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.”