The Guardian understands that the findings of the inquiry about Operation Midland, which collapsed amid controversy earlier this year, are more critical than police chiefs were expecting and have sent Scotland Yard into crisis mode. The findings are potentially damaging to the Met’s reputation and the controversy around Operation Midland has been one of the worst episodes of Hogan-Howe’s five-year commissionership, which will end with his retirement in February 2017. Launching Operation Midland, the police said: “The credibility of the allegations was assessed after a process involving extended questioning of the complainant by specialist child-protection detectives.”In December 2014 the then head of Operation Midland said Nick’s claims were not just credible but true. Operation Midland was launched following the Jimmy Savile scandal which shook up the criminal justice system and showed it failing victims, resulting in the shielding of a prolific offender. While being accused of being overzealous in Operation Midland, the Met is still facing investigation over multiple claims that it has covered up sex-abuse claims.

Source: The Guardian November 03, 2016 20:45 UTC