Misconduct proceedings against VIP abuse inquiry officer dropped

A former Met Police officer, Steve Rodhouse, has had gross misconduct proceedings withdrawn after an investigation into false sex abuse allegations made against high-profile figures. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) ceased its investigation after the Met Police disclosed a significant amount of relevant material. Rodhouse was accused of making comments to the media in March 2016 regarding the honesty of two witnesses in the investigation. In response, Rodhouse stated that the allegations were unfounded and incorrect, expressing a desire for an explanation on how the situation transpired.

Rodhouse was in charge of Operation Midland, which probed false allegations involving MPs and generals, including Lord Brittan, Lord Bramall, and Harvey Proctor. The operation rested on claims made by Carl Beech, who was later imprisoned in 2019 for fabricating allegations. Rodhouse was set to face a disciplinary hearing for potentially violating police professional standards related to honesty, integrity, and conduct. Moreover, he was accused of making remarks to Sir Richard Henriques, who led an independent review of the operation.

New material presented by the Met Police prompted the closure of the IOPC investigation, as it revealed no inappropriate motivation or collaboration in Rodhouse’s statements to the media. The watchdog found evidence suggesting senior Met officers and staff were involved in the comments, which were made to avoid discouraging victims of historic sex offenses from coming forward. Proctor, the complainant in the dropped proceedings, criticized the IOPC’s decision as disgraceful and an insult to victims of false allegations. He expressed dismay over the impact of Operation Midland on innocent individuals, highlighting the lasting repercussions of baseless accusations.

Rodhouse, now working at the National Crime Agency, welcomed the IOPC’s acknowledgment of his integrity during the investigation. He emphasized the importance of competent and timely investigations into police conduct to maintain officers’ confidence in the system. IOPC Director Amanda Rowe reaffirmed the watchdog’s stance on the Met Police’s failure to follow recommendations in handling the witnesses of Operation Midland. The IOPC reported a potential crime to the Met during its inquiry, currently under investigation by another police force, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future

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