Met detectives arrested for sex assault coverup 'worst scandal since Wayne Couzens'

Five Met detectives have been arrested over an alleged plot to bury a complaint of sexual assault by a policewoman against a high-ranking officer.

Dramatic raids were executed last week at the residences of the suspects and at the police stations where they are stationed.

One of those arrested is a detective inspector working on the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards. This news comes after Met Police officers who strip searched black schoolgirl, 15, were sacked.

Those arrested for the recent alleged sex assault coverup also include a detective chief inspector, another detective inspector and a detective sergeant, according to The Sun.

It is claimed that the male officers scuppered a complaint of sexual assault by the female cop against a governor at a CID party last Christmas, reports the Express.

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The cover-up allegations emerged in June - and last Tuesday searches were conducted at 11 addresses.

'Worst since Wayne Couzens.'

The detectives - all based in North West London - were arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office and corrupt or improper exercise of police powers.

Computer equipment and mobile phones were seized in the coordinated swoops carried out by officers from the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS).

All the officers were bailed pending further inquiries.

It is understood the DPS officer arrested works in a local professional standards unit and has no connection with officers from the command who investigating him and the four others.

The DPS investigation is being overseen by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

In a separate but related case, a detective inspector has been charged with perverting the course of justice by deleting his mobile phone data.

One insider described the alleged sex complaint manipulation plot as the "worst scandal to hit the Met's reputation since Wayne Couzens."

Bad apples in the force

This comes as the Met continues a purge of bad apples in the force ordered by Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley following a landmark report by Baroness Casey of Blackstock into the Met's culture and standards.

The peer's 2023 report labelled the Met institutionally racist, homophobic and misogynistic.

It stated that a "boys' club" culture was prevalent in Britain's largest force and accused the Met of failing to protect the public from officers who abuse women.

Baroness Casey's scathing review of the Met was commissioned following the March 2021 kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by Met firearms officer Couzens, who had a history of indecent exposure offences.

The report led to the Met's largest purge in 50 years with more than 1,000 police officers being suspended or placed on restricted duties.

Cover-up allegations

An insider said: "The cover-up allegations go to the heart of the Casey report and what the Met has been trying to address over the past two-and-half years.

"A woman made a complaint against a senior officer that he had sexually assaulted her at a Christmas party.

"It is alleged that a group of detectives, including one working on a local professional standards unit, then suppressed that investigation.

"It is the worst scandal to hit the Met's reputation since Wayne Couzens."

Watchdog statement

An IOPC spokesperson confirmed: "We can confirm that five Met officers were arrested on Tuesday (19 August), as part of an IOPC-directed investigation.

"The investigation relates to the handling of internal allegations of sexual assault against an officer and involves four officers from the North-West Borough Command Unit and one officer from the Directorate of Professional Standards.

"Enquiries are being carried out by the Met's Anti-Corruption Command under our direction and control.

"A total of 11 search warrants took place on 19 August involving both residential addresses and police stations.

"The officers were advised that they are under investigation for potential offences which include perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office and corrupt or improper exercise of police powers.

"They are also being investigated for potential gross misconduct.

"We began our directed investigation in June following a conduct referral from the Met.

"At the end of the investigation, we will decide whether to refer a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service for charging decisions and decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings."

The IOPC spokesperson stated: "On 22 August we were advised by the Met that it had charged an officer with perverting the course of justice, who appeared in court that day, in a matter that is linked to - but not currently part of - this investigation.

"Given proceedings are active it wouldn't be appropriate for us to comment further on this matter."

Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, who oversees policing in north west London, said: "Five Metropolitan Police officers, four attached to the North West Borough Command Unit and one from the Directorate of Professional Standards were arrested on Tuesday, 19 August.

"They were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office and corrupt or improper exercise of police powers.

"This relates to the handling of an internal investigation into allegations of sexual assault against an officer.

"The investigation is being carried out by the Met's Anti-Corruption Command, under the direction of the IOPC, after a referral was made by the Met in June."