Watchdog investigates Met officers for gross misconduct over serial killer Stephen Port cases
Five serving Metropolitan Police officers and three former Metropolitan Police officers are being investigated for potentially breaching professional standards.
Stephen Port is serving a life sentence for the murders of four young men.
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Eight Metropolitan Police officers, five serving and three former, are being investigated by the police watchdog for gross misconduct in their handling of the case of serial killer Stephen Port.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said there is an indication the officers may have breached police professional standards. Specifically, those standards that relate to equality and diversity amongst others.
Port murdered 23-year-old Anthony Walgate, 22-year-old Gabriel Kovari, 21-year-old Daniel Whitworth and 25-year-old Jack Taylor between June 2014 and September 2015.
He had met the four men through the Grindr app and disposed of their bodies near his flat in Barking.
The young men killed by Stephen Port in 2014-2015 (top left then clockwise): Gabriel Kovari, Anthony Walgate, Jack Taylor, Daniel Whitworth. Photo Credit: Family handouts via Metropolitan Police
In a 2021, inquest jurors found that “fundamental failures” by the police likely contributed to the death of the latter three men.
The following year, the Metropolitan Police settled civil claims for “investigatory failings” with the families of Mr Walgate, Mr Kovari and Mr Whitworth. They made payments of an undisclosed amount to each family.
Neil Hudgell, a solicitor speaking for the families of the four men, said they welcomed the announcement, are “cautiously encouraged” and see this development as a “testament to the determination and perseverance” the families have shown.
Families’ ‘considerable patience’
IOPC’s regional director Steve Noonan acknowledged that it had taken a while for the investigation to reach this stage. He paid tribute to the families noting that they “have shown considerable patience”.
The watchdog’s predecessor, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), completed an investigation into 17 officers in 2018.
But, its successor called the inquiry “materially flawed” in 2022 and began to reinvestigate. It notes that five of the officers, including three of those still serving, are common to both probes.
Mr Noonan noted that only after the gross misconduct investigation will a decision be taken as to whether such officers should face disciplinary proceedings.
The 2021 inquest found that errors made by officers meant key opportunities were missed to catch Port.
This left him free to carry out a series of further murders as well as drug and sexually assault over a dozen more men.
Commander Jon Savell from the Metropolitan Police said in response to the IOPC’s announcement: “The deaths of these four young men is a tragedy and we are deeply sorry there were failings in our police response”.
Officers blame mistakes on the lack of resources and understaffing and deny accusations of prejudice and homophobia.
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HeadlineWatchdog investigates Met officers for gross misconduct over serial killer Stephen Port cases
Short HeadlinePolice investigated over handling of serial murderer cases
StandfirstFive serving Metropolitan Police officers and three former Metropolitan Police officers are being investigated for potentially breaching professional standards.
Eight Metropolitan Police officers, five serving and three former, are being investigated by the police watchdog for gross misconduct in their handling of the case of serial killer Stephen Port.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said there is an indication the officers may have breached police professional standards. Specifically, those standards that relate to equality and diversity amongst others.
Port murdered 23-year-old Anthony Walgate, 22-year-old Gabriel Kovari, 21-year-old Daniel Whitworth and 25-year-old Jack Taylor between June 2014 and September 2015.
He had met the four men through the Grindr app and disposed of their bodies near his flat in Barking.
The young men killed by Stephen Port in 2014-2015 (top left then clockwise): Gabriel Kovari, Anthony Walgate, Jack Taylor, Daniel Whitworth. Photo Credit: Family handouts via Metropolitan Police
In a 2021, inquest jurors found that “fundamental failures” by the police likely contributed to the death of the latter three men.
The following year, the Metropolitan Police settled civil claims for “investigatory failings” with the families of Mr Walgate, Mr Kovari and Mr Whitworth. They made payments of an undisclosed amount to each family.
Neil Hudgell, a solicitor speaking for the families of the four men, said they welcomed the announcement, are “cautiously encouraged” and see this development as a “testament to the determination and perseverance” the families have shown.
Families’ ‘considerable patience’
IOPC’s regional director Steve Noonan acknowledged that it had taken a while for the investigation to reach this stage. He paid tribute to the families noting that they “have shown considerable patience”.
The watchdog’s predecessor, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), completed an investigation into 17 officers in 2018.
But, its successor called the inquiry “materially flawed” in 2022 and began to reinvestigate. It notes that five of the officers, including three of those still serving, are common to both probes.
Mr Noonan noted that only after the gross misconduct investigation will a decision be taken as to whether such officers should face disciplinary proceedings.
The 2021 inquest found that errors made by officers meant key opportunities were missed to catch Port.
This left him free to carry out a series of further murders as well as drug and sexually assault over a dozen more men.
Commander Jon Savell from the Metropolitan Police said in response to the IOPC’s announcement: “The deaths of these four young men is a tragedy and we are deeply sorry there were failings in our police response”.
Officers blame mistakes on the lack of resources and understaffing and deny accusations of prejudice and homophobia.
