Met Police officers investigated over Stephen Port case

Five current and three former Metropolitan Police officers are being investigated following the force's failings in the Stephen Port case.

A report previously suggested there'd been numerous failures in the way the probe into the serial killer was handled.

Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor all died at the hands of Port, who drugged them with overdoses of GHB and dumped their bodies near his flat in Barking, east London, between June 2014 and September 2015.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct says eight people are being investigated for gross misconduct and possible breaches of professional standards.

IOPC regional director Steve Noonan said:

"We recognise it has taken some time to reach this stage, but these are complex matters, involving multiple officers and four investigations into unexplained deaths and then the subsequent murder investigation into Port.

"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."

Commander Jon Savell from the Met reiterated the force's "heartfelt" apologies for its blunders in the case.

In a statement he said:

“We continue to fully support an re-investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct into the initial police response into the deaths of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor. We are aware of the latest update from the IOPC.

“The deaths of these four young men is a tragedy and we are deeply sorry there were failings in our police response. Again, I give my own and the Met’s heartfelt apologies. Our thoughts are, as always, with their families and friends.

“The whole of the Met is committed to improving our investigations, our relationships and the trust people have in us to keep them safe. Since the deaths of Anthony, Gabriel, Daniel and Jack we continue to work hard to ensure the service we provide is better while understanding we have more to do.

“Learning and recommendations from the IOPC, His Majesty’s Coroner, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services and our LGBT+ Independent Advisory Group of community members have enabled us to make a range of improvements so far. These include restoring full time LGBT+ liaison officers across the Met to focus on working with LGBT+ people and organisations in London, how we respond to and investigate unexpected deaths, and family liaison.”

Families of three of Port's victims received payouts from the Met after settling civil claims.

Speaking on behalf of the families of the four men, solicitor Neil Hudgell said they were "cautiously encouraged" by the reopening of the investigation and the development was testament to their "determination and perseverance".

Basic errors by a string of detectives left Port free to carry out the series of murders as well as drug and sexually assault more than a dozen other men.

Inquest jurors found that "fundamental failures" by the police were likely to have contributed to the deaths of three of the men.

The IOPC said five of the officers, including three who are still serving with the Met, were the subject of an investigation by its predecessor, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The police watchdog said the original IPCC investigation examined the actions of multiple officers and 17 were subjects in that first probe.

When interviewed, 16 of the 17 officers chose to provide written accounts.

The IOPC began reinvestigating the case last year after saying the original inquiry into the conduct of officers was "materially flawed".

An inquest jury found that officers in Barking missed repeated opportunities to catch Port after he plied his first victim, Mr Walgate, with a fatal dose of the date-rape drug GHB and dumped his body.

Port struck three more times before he was caught, killing each victim in near-identical circumstances, with police failing to link him to the deaths despite detective work carried out by the victims' family and friends that would lead to the culprit.

Officers had denied accusations of prejudice and homophobia, blaming mistakes on being understaffed and lacking resources.

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