- Stephen Port: Met to be re-investigated over serial killer BBC
- Stephen Port: Met Police to be investigated again over its handling of deaths of serial killer's victims Sky News
- Stephen Port: watchdog to reinvestigate Met police inquiry The Guardian
- Police watchdog to reinvestigate Met over handling of Stephen Port victims The Independent
- Stephen Port: Police watchdog to investigate Met over handling of serial killer's victims The Telegraph
Stephen Port: Met to be reinvestigated over serial killer
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| The young men killed by Port: Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor Image caption |
The way Metropolitan Police initially handled the deaths of four men murdered by serial killer Stephen Port is to be reinvestigated by the police watchdog.
Port, 47, is serving a whole-life term for the murders of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor in Barking, East London.
The deaths were not seen as suspicious by police until after the fourth death.
A solicitor representing the families said they believed the police's actions were "driven by homophobia".
He added the Met Police had "blood on their hands", and said: "It is time for them to be held accountable."
"Basic failings" in the way the Metropolitan Police handled the four men's deaths were identified at a jury inquest that concluded in December.
The force failed to carry out basic checks, send evidence to be forensically examined, and exercise professional curiosity while Port was embarking on his killing spree, the inquest heard. Officers also made assumptions about the gay community, jurors were told.
In 2019 the police watchdog, the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), decided no officers had a case to answer for misconduct or gross misconduct as a result of the failures to catch the serial killer until after the fourth killing.
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| IMAGE SOURCE,MET POLICEImage caption, Stephen Port is serving a whole-life prison term for the four murders |
Now, the IOPC has said that since new information heard at the inquest had found "material flaws" in its own inquiry, it had decided to re-open its investigation with a new team in place.
Regional Director Graham Beesley said: "Following analysis of the new information provided at the inquest, we have concluded that the original investigation needed to be wider in scope and, therefore, certain lines of inquiries were not followed," he added.
"Had this information been known at the time it may have led to different decisions on outcomes."
Between June 2014 and September 2015, Port killed Anthony Walgate, 23, originally from Hull, Gabriel Kovari, 22, from Lewisham, Daniel Whitworth, 21, from Gravesend, Kent, and Jack Taylor, 25, from Dagenham, east London, by giving them overdoses of the "date rape" drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) at his east London home.
He met the victims online, including through the dating app Grindr, before luring them to his flat where they were drugged and raped. He dumped the victims' bodies near his flat.
Port was found guilty of the murders and a string of sex assaults against other men in 2016 and was given a whole-life jail term.
Following the announcement of the new IOPC inquiry, the families' solicitor Neil Hudgell said relatives had been "left traumatised by their treatment at the hands of the police".
'Institutional prejudice'
"The inadequate investigations by the Metropolitan Police into the four deaths is one of the most widespread institutional failures in modern history, exacerbated by a woeful lack of remorse, regret or sympathy displayed at the inquests by some of the officers involved," Mr Hudgell added.
"Port was jailed for life, but the police have blood on their hands too. It is time for them to be held accountable."
By BBC News Home Affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford
From almost the first moment, the families of the four men who were murdered by Stephen Port have been let down by the Metropolitan Police and the IOPC.
Last year, the inquests heard excruciating details of how basic police work was not done, how detectives lacked curiosity, did not follow up on things, and jumped to conclusions.
The family liaison officer in the Gabriel Kovari murder never even contacted the family.
When Port was finally caught and put on trial in 2016, it seemed obvious that there had been serious police failings, but the IOPC decided none of the detectives had a case to answer for "gross misconduct" or even "misconduct."
Now - more than eight years after the first murder - the IOPC is re-opening its investigation, conceding that the inquests had identified "material flaws" in its original inquiry.
It has added to the clamour for reform of both the Metropolitan Police and the IOPC.
The partner of Mr Whitworth, Ricky Waumsley, said he welcomed the IOPC's fresh investigation.
Mr Waumsely said he had given evidence at the inquest about "many blatant shortcomings", including that he had not been shown a fake suicide note because police did not consider him to be Mr Whitworth's next of kin.
He told the inquest he believed he was treated differently because they were a "gay unmarried couple".
Welcoming the new inquiry, he said: "The inquest jury found that Daniel's death could have been avoided had the police properly investigated the previous murders. The previous IOPC investigation had significant flaws in it.
"I continue to believe that the Metropolitan Police suffer from institutional prejudice which, frustratingly, they continue to deny."
A spokesman for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the quality of the Met's investigation into the murders "raised a number of concerns, particularly around homophobia".
He added: "It is vital that London's LGBTQ+ community has confidence in our police and the Met are able to gain the trust and confidence of all the communities it serves so that every Londoner, regardless of background or postcode can feel safe, protected and served."
Stephen Port: Met Police to be investigated again over its handling of deaths of serial killer's victims
Speaking on behalf of the victims' families, solicitor Neil Hudgell said it was "the only logical decision open to the IOPC following the weight of evidence heard at the inquests".
Image:Stephen Port was sentenced to life in prison
The police watchdog is to investigate the Metropolitan Police again over their handling of the inquiry into the murders of four young men by serial killer Stephen Port.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it will now look into how Scotland Yard investigated the cases during Port's killing spree in Barking, east London, from June 2014 to September 2015, after none of the 17 officers involved in the case faced disciplinary action.
Jurors at the inquests into the deaths of Anthony Walgate, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and 25-year-old Jack Taylor concluded that police failings "probably" contributed to the deaths of the three last victims, all of whom were unlawfully killed.
Read more:
How the 'Grindr killer' murdered four men - and the missed chances to stop him
MPs call for inquiry into claims of 'institutional homophobia' at Met Police
Senior police officer apologises to victims' families over missed opportunities to arrest serial killer
The jury's findings, which were released in December last year, prompted the IOPC to announce that it would consider reinvestigating.
IOPC regional director Graham Beesley said: "In our original investigation, we examined the actions of 17 officers. All but one gave no-comment interviews under misconduct caution and chose to provide written responses to the investigators.
"Following analysis of the new information provided at the inquest, we have concluded that the original investigation needed to be wider in scope and, therefore, certain lines of inquiries were not followed.
"Had this information been known at the time it may have led to different decisions on outcomes."
'Big question mark over whether police prejudice played part in investigations'
Solicitor Neil Hudgell, speaking on behalf of the victims' families, said it was "the only logical decision open to the IOPC following the weight of evidence heard at the inquests".
He said: "The original IOPC report was hindered by a wall of silence, given that all but one of the 17 officers questioned gave 'no-comment' interviews.
"Our hope now is that the IOPC will have a lot more to go on.
"There remains a big question mark over whether police prejudice played a part in the investigations."
He added: "The inadequate investigations by the Metropolitan Police into the four deaths is one of the most widespread institutional failures in modern history, exacerbated by a woeful lack of remorse, regret or sympathy displayed at the inquests by some of the officers involved.
"Port was jailed for life, but the police have blood on their hands too. It is time for them to be held accountable."
Regional Director Graham Beesley said: "Following analysis of the new information provided at the inquest, we have concluded that the original investigation needed to be wider in scope and, therefore, certain lines of inquiries were not followed," he added.
"Had this information been known at the time it may have led to different decisions on outcomes."
Between June 2014 and September 2015, Port killed Anthony Walgate, 23, originally from Hull, Gabriel Kovari, 22, from Lewisham, Daniel Whitworth, 21, from Gravesend, Kent, and Jack Taylor, 25, from Dagenham, east London, by giving them overdoses of the "date rape" drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) at his east London home.
He met the victims online, including through the dating app Grindr, before luring them to his flat where they were drugged and raped. He dumped the victims' bodies near his flat.
Port was found guilty of the murders and a string of sex assaults against other men in 2016 and was given a whole-life jail term.
Following the announcement of the new IOPC inquiry, the families' solicitor Neil Hudgell said relatives had been "left traumatised by their treatment at the hands of the police".
'Institutional prejudice'
"The inadequate investigations by the Metropolitan Police into the four deaths is one of the most widespread institutional failures in modern history, exacerbated by a woeful lack of remorse, regret or sympathy displayed at the inquests by some of the officers involved," Mr Hudgell added.
"Port was jailed for life, but the police have blood on their hands too. It is time for them to be held accountable."
By BBC News Home Affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford
From almost the first moment, the families of the four men who were murdered by Stephen Port have been let down by the Metropolitan Police and the IOPC.
Last year, the inquests heard excruciating details of how basic police work was not done, how detectives lacked curiosity, did not follow up on things, and jumped to conclusions.
The family liaison officer in the Gabriel Kovari murder never even contacted the family.
When Port was finally caught and put on trial in 2016, it seemed obvious that there had been serious police failings, but the IOPC decided none of the detectives had a case to answer for "gross misconduct" or even "misconduct."
Now - more than eight years after the first murder - the IOPC is re-opening its investigation, conceding that the inquests had identified "material flaws" in its original inquiry.
It has added to the clamour for reform of both the Metropolitan Police and the IOPC.
The partner of Mr Whitworth, Ricky Waumsley, said he welcomed the IOPC's fresh investigation.
Mr Waumsely said he had given evidence at the inquest about "many blatant shortcomings", including that he had not been shown a fake suicide note because police did not consider him to be Mr Whitworth's next of kin.
He told the inquest he believed he was treated differently because they were a "gay unmarried couple".
Welcoming the new inquiry, he said: "The inquest jury found that Daniel's death could have been avoided had the police properly investigated the previous murders. The previous IOPC investigation had significant flaws in it.
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| IMAGE SOURCE,PAImage caption, Gabriel Kovari and Daniel Whitworth's bodies were found in the graveyard of St Margaret's Church |
"I continue to believe that the Metropolitan Police suffer from institutional prejudice which, frustratingly, they continue to deny."
A spokesman for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the quality of the Met's investigation into the murders "raised a number of concerns, particularly around homophobia".
He added: "It is vital that London's LGBTQ+ community has confidence in our police and the Met are able to gain the trust and confidence of all the communities it serves so that every Londoner, regardless of background or postcode can feel safe, protected and served."
Stephen Port: Met Police to be investigated again over its handling of deaths of serial killer's victims
Speaking on behalf of the victims' families, solicitor Neil Hudgell said it was "the only logical decision open to the IOPC following the weight of evidence heard at the inquests".
Image:Stephen Port was sentenced to life in prisonThe police watchdog is to investigate the Metropolitan Police again over their handling of the inquiry into the murders of four young men by serial killer Stephen Port.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it will now look into how Scotland Yard investigated the cases during Port's killing spree in Barking, east London, from June 2014 to September 2015, after none of the 17 officers involved in the case faced disciplinary action.
Jurors at the inquests into the deaths of Anthony Walgate, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and 25-year-old Jack Taylor concluded that police failings "probably" contributed to the deaths of the three last victims, all of whom were unlawfully killed.
Read more:
How the 'Grindr killer' murdered four men - and the missed chances to stop him
MPs call for inquiry into claims of 'institutional homophobia' at Met Police
Senior police officer apologises to victims' families over missed opportunities to arrest serial killer
The jury's findings, which were released in December last year, prompted the IOPC to announce that it would consider reinvestigating.
IOPC regional director Graham Beesley said: "In our original investigation, we examined the actions of 17 officers. All but one gave no-comment interviews under misconduct caution and chose to provide written responses to the investigators.
"Following analysis of the new information provided at the inquest, we have concluded that the original investigation needed to be wider in scope and, therefore, certain lines of inquiries were not followed.
"Had this information been known at the time it may have led to different decisions on outcomes."
 |
| Image:File photos issued by the Metropolitan Police of (left to right) Daniel Whitworth, Jack Taylor, Anthony Walgate and Gabriel Kovari |
'Big question mark over whether police prejudice played part in investigations'
Solicitor Neil Hudgell, speaking on behalf of the victims' families, said it was "the only logical decision open to the IOPC following the weight of evidence heard at the inquests".
He said: "The original IOPC report was hindered by a wall of silence, given that all but one of the 17 officers questioned gave 'no-comment' interviews.
"Our hope now is that the IOPC will have a lot more to go on.
"There remains a big question mark over whether police prejudice played a part in the investigations."
He added: "The inadequate investigations by the Metropolitan Police into the four deaths is one of the most widespread institutional failures in modern history, exacerbated by a woeful lack of remorse, regret or sympathy displayed at the inquests by some of the officers involved.
"Port was jailed for life, but the police have blood on their hands too. It is time for them to be held accountable."
Stephen Port: watchdog to reinvestigate Met police inquiry
Independent Office for Police Conduct will reinvestigate way Scotland Yard handled deaths of serial killer’s victims
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| Clockwise from top left: Stephen Port’s victims Daniel Whitworth, Jack Taylor, Gabriel Kovari and Anthony Walgate. Photograph: PA |
The Metropolitan police are to be reinvestigated by the police watchdog over the handling of the murders of four young men by the serial killer Stephen Port as families of the victims believe a “big question mark” remains over whether homophobia played any part in the flawed police inquiries into the killings.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said on Thursday it would re-examine how Scotland Yard investigated Port’s killing spree in Barking, east London, from June 2014 to September 2015, after none of the 17 officers involved in the case faced disciplinary action.
Jurors at new inquests held last year into the deaths of Anthony Walgate, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and Jack Taylor, 25, concluded that police failings “probably” contributed to the deaths of the last three victims. The IOPC said new evidence at those inquests that was “previously unknown to us” had prompted its decision to reinvestigate the MPS over the deaths.
Port, 47, was found guilty and sentenced to a whole life order in November 2016 at the Old Bailey for the murders of the four men.
Neil Hudgell, the families’ solicitor, said it was the “only logical decision open to the IOPC following the weight of evidence” heard at the inquests. “The original IOPC report was hindered by a wall of silence, given that all but one of the 17 officers questioned gave ‘no comment’ interviews.”
He added: “There remains a big question mark over whether police prejudice played a part in the investigations … The inadequate investigations by the Metropolitan police into the four deaths is one of the most widespread institutional failures in modern history, exacerbated by a woeful lack of remorse, regret or sympathy displayed at the inquests by some of the officers involved.
“The inquests identified fundamental failings and basic errors in the investigation into Anthony’s death which meant that Port was free to go on to kill Gabriel, Daniel and Jack.
“We expect the IOPC to investigate with renewed vigour. The families are ready to assist in any way they can, we hope the same can be said of the police.”
The Metropolitan police service had voluntarily referred itself to the police watchdog in October 2015 after it identified concerns over its initial investigations into the four deaths.
The IOPC regional director, Graham Beesley, said since the inquests it had closely examined its original investigation and compared it with the new material heard at the inquests. “A matter can only be reinvestigated by the IOPC if we are satisfied that the original investigation was materially flawed in a manner which had an impact on the subsequent decisions made on discipline, performance and/or referral to the Crown Prosecution Service, and/or there is ‘significant new information’ that requires further investigation.
“In our original investigation, we examined the actions of 17 officers. All but one gave no comment interviews under misconduct caution and chose to provide written responses to the investigators.
“Following analysis of the new information provided at the inquest, we have concluded that the original investigation needed to be wider in scope and, therefore, certain lines of inquiries were not followed. Had this information been known at the time it may have led to different decisions on outcomes.”
A new team has been appointed.
The inquest jury found that officers in Barking missed repeated opportunities to catch Port after he fatally administered the date rape drug GHB to Walgate, his first victim, before dumping his body.
Port struck three more times before he was finally 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 could have led them to the killer earlier.
Officers had denied accusations of prejudice and homophobia, instead blaming mistakes on being understaffed and lacking resources, with some acting up in senior positions.
Police watchdog to reinvestigate Met over handling of Stephen Port victims
The police watchdog is to reinvestigate the Metropolitan Police over their handling of the inquiry into the murders of four young men by serial killer Stephen Port (Metropolitan Police/PA)
(PA Media)
The police watchdog is to reinvestigate the Metropolitan Police over their handling of the inquiry into the murders of four young men by serial killer Stephen Port.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it will now look into how Scotland Yard investigated the cases during Port’s killing spree in Barking, east London, from June 2014 to September 2015, after none of the 17 officers involved in the case faced disciplinary action.
Solicitor Neil Hudgell, speaking on behalf of the victims’ families, said the decision was “the only logical decision open to the IOPC following the weight of evidence heard at the inquests”.
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| Daniel Whitworth, Jack Taylor, Anthony Walgate and Gabriel Kovari were murdered by Stephen Port (Metropolitan Police/PA) (PA Media) |
The Metropolitan Police said they would offer “every support” to the fresh investigation.
Jurors at the inquests into the deaths of Anthony Walgate, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and 25-year-old Jack Taylor concluded that police failings “probably” contributed to the deaths of the three last victims, all of whom were unlawfully killed.
The jury’s findings, in December last year, prompted the IOPC to announce that it would consider reinvestigating.
IOPC regional director Graham Beesley said on Thursday: “Since the inquests concluded, an IOPC team has been closely examining the original investigation material and comparing it with the information and verbal accounts provided to the new inquests.
“A matter can only be reinvestigated by the IOPC if we are satisfied that the original investigation was materially flawed in a manner which had an impact on the subsequent decisions made on discipline, performance and/or referral to the Crown Prosecution Service, and/or there is ‘significant new information’ that requires further investigation.
“In this case, the reinvestigation process has identified evidence which meets both the significant new information and material flaw categories, and we believe a proportionate – but thorough – new investigation is in the public interest.”
The location outside Stephen Port’s former flat in Cooke Street, Barking, where he dumped his first victim’s body (Emily Pennink/PA)
(PA Archive)
He said the decision to reinvestigate “does not necessarily mean that the entirety of the original investigation will be examined again”.
The 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 finally 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 them to the culprit.
The police watchdog is to reinvestigate the Metropolitan Police over their handling of the inquiry into the murders of four young men by serial killer Stephen Port.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it would look into how Scotland Yard investigated the cases during Port's killing spree in Barking, east London, from June 2014 to September 2015, after none of the 17 officers involved in the case faced disciplinary action.
Solicitor Neil Hudgell, speaking on behalf of the victims' families, said this was "the only logical decision open to the IOPC following the weight of evidence heard at the inquests".
The Metropolitan Police said it would offer "every support" to the fresh investigation.
Jurors at the inquests into the deaths of Anthony Walgate, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and 25-year-old Jack Taylor concluded that police failings "probably" contributed to the deaths of the three last victims, all of whom were unlawfully killed.
The jury's findings, in December last year, prompted the IOPC to announce that it would consider reinvestigating.
Officers denied accusations of prejudice and homophobia
Graham Beesley, the IOPC regional director, said on Thursday: "Since the inquests concluded, an IOPC team has been closely examining the original investigation material and comparing it with the information and verbal accounts provided to the new inquests.
"A matter can only be reinvestigated by the IOPC if we are satisfied that the original investigation was materially flawed in a manner which had an impact on the subsequent decisions made on discipline, performance and/or referral to the Crown Prosecution Service, and/or there is 'significant new information' that requires further investigation.
"In this case, the reinvestigation process has identified evidence which meets both the significant new information and material flaw categories, and we believe a proportionate - but thorough - new investigation is in the public interest."
He said the decision to reinvestigate "does not necessarily mean that the entirety of the original investigation will be examined again".
The 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 finally 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 them to the culprit.
Officers had denied accusations of prejudice and homophobia, instead blaming mistakes on being understaffed and lacking resources, with some acting up in senior positions.
Port, 46, a bus depot chef, will die in prison after being handed a whole life sentence at the Old Bailey for the murders and a string of sex assaults.
Port struck three more times before he was finally 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 them to the culprit.
Stephen Port: Met Police to be investigated over failure to stop serial killer
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| Stephen Port was convicted of killing four men CREDIT: Metropolitan Police /PA |
The police watchdog is to reinvestigate the Metropolitan Police over their handling of the inquiry into the murders of four young men by serial killer Stephen Port.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it would look into how Scotland Yard investigated the cases during Port's killing spree in Barking, east London, from June 2014 to September 2015, after none of the 17 officers involved in the case faced disciplinary action.
Solicitor Neil Hudgell, speaking on behalf of the victims' families, said this was "the only logical decision open to the IOPC following the weight of evidence heard at the inquests".
The Metropolitan Police said it would offer "every support" to the fresh investigation.
Jurors at the inquests into the deaths of Anthony Walgate, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and 25-year-old Jack Taylor concluded that police failings "probably" contributed to the deaths of the three last victims, all of whom were unlawfully killed.
The jury's findings, in December last year, prompted the IOPC to announce that it would consider reinvestigating.
Officers denied accusations of prejudice and homophobia
Graham Beesley, the IOPC regional director, said on Thursday: "Since the inquests concluded, an IOPC team has been closely examining the original investigation material and comparing it with the information and verbal accounts provided to the new inquests.
"A matter can only be reinvestigated by the IOPC if we are satisfied that the original investigation was materially flawed in a manner which had an impact on the subsequent decisions made on discipline, performance and/or referral to the Crown Prosecution Service, and/or there is 'significant new information' that requires further investigation.
"In this case, the reinvestigation process has identified evidence which meets both the significant new information and material flaw categories, and we believe a proportionate - but thorough - new investigation is in the public interest."
He said the decision to reinvestigate "does not necessarily mean that the entirety of the original investigation will be examined again".
The 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 finally 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 them to the culprit.
Officers had denied accusations of prejudice and homophobia, instead blaming mistakes on being understaffed and lacking resources, with some acting up in senior positions.
Port, 46, a bus depot chef, will die in prison after being handed a whole life sentence at the Old Bailey for the murders and a string of sex assaults.
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