Letter from the Home Secretary to HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary (accessible version)
Updated 7 October 2019
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Sir Thomas Winsor
6th Floor, Globe House
89 Eccleston Square
London
SW1V 1PN
3 October 2019
Dear Tom,
Maintaining public confidence in the Metropolitan Police Service following the publication of Sir Richard Henriques’ review.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) are planning to publish further chapters of Sir Richard Henriques’ Independent Review of the Metropolitan Police Service’s handling of non-recent sexual offence investigations alleged against persons of public prominence on Friday 4th October. I am grateful to the MPS for the steps they are taking to ensure that there is transparency around the failings identified by Sir Richard that had such a distressing impact on those falsely accused.
It is imperative that the public receive assurance that the MPS has learned from the mistakes identified in Sir Richard’s report and have made – and continue to make – necessary improvements. To this end I am writing to you to request, under the provisions in s54 of the Police Act 1996, that HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) undertake an inspection at the earliest practicable opportunity to follow up on Sir Richard’s review. I would also like this inspection to take account of the Independent Office for Police Conduct’s (IOPC) Operation Kentia investigation report and learning recommendations which will be published shortly. My officials will be in touch to discuss the scope of the inspection in detail.
Following publication of Sir Richard’s review and the IOPC report, I will consider whether any further steps are needed to address any wider issues with policing practice.
I have copied this to the Commissioner of the MPS, the Deputy Commissioner and the Mayor of London.
Rt Hon Priti Patel MP