Five Metropolitan Police officers and three former officers are being investigated for gross misconduct over the handling of the investigation into the murders by serial killer Stephen Port, the Independent Office for Police Conduct said.
The IOPC said the officers are being investigated for possible breaches of police professional standards relating variously to equality and diversity, duties and responsibilities, authority respect and courtesy and honesty and integrity.
Port, 47, was sentenced to a whole-life order at the Old Bailey in 2016 after he went on a year-long killing spree, claiming the lives of four men and committing multiple rapes.
The sexual predator, obsessed with drugging and raping young men, killed Anthony Walgate, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and Jack Taylor, 25, by giving them lethal overdoses of the date-rape drug GHB from June 2014 to September 2015.
Today the Met Police said the deaths of the four young men were a ‘tragedy’ and apologised for ‘failings in their police response’.
A lawyer for the families of Port’s victims said the development was testament to their ‘determination and perseverance’.
Stephen Port, 47, was sentenced to a whole-life order at the Old Bailey in 2016 after he went on a year-long killing spree, claiming the lives of four men and committing multiple rapes
Two of Port’s four victims were Jack Taylor (left), 25, and Daniel Whitworth (right), 21
Anthony Walgate (left) and Gabriel Kovari were two of Port’s victims
The IOPC opened a re-investigation in 2022 into the way the Met initially handled its investigations into the four murders in Barking, east London.
In the original Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation, the IOPC’s predecessor, which was completed in August 2018, the actions of multiple officers were examined and 17 of those were subjects in the investigation. When interviewed, 16 of the 17 officers chose to provide written accounts.
Five of the officers under investigation for gross misconduct were subjects in the initial IPCC probe.
IOPC regional director Steve Noonan said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of Anthony, Gabriel, Daniel and Jack who were tragically murdered by Stephen Port in Barking.
‘I want to pay tribute to the families of these young men who have shown considerable patience as we got to the position we are in now.
‘Our re-investigation has been, and continues to be, thorough and detailed. We recognise it has taken some time to reach this stage, but these are complex matters, involving multiple officers and four investigations into unexplained deaths and then the subsequent murder investigation into Port.
‘Though we have found an indication that the behaviour of these eight individuals may have amounted to gross misconduct, this does not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will automatically follow. Based on the evidence, at the conclusion of our investigation we will decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.’
Metropolitan Police Commander Jon Savell said the force would continue to fully support a re-investigation by the IOPC into the initial police response into the deaths of Walgate, Kovari, Whitworth and Taylor, and confirmed they are aware of the latest update from the IOPC.
‘The deaths of these four young men is a tragedy and we are deeply sorry there were failings in our police response. Again, I give my own and the Met’s heartfelt apologies. Our thoughts are, as always, with their families and friends.’
Stephen Port (pictured) killed Anthony Walgate, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and Jack Taylor, 25, by giving them lethal overdoses of the date-rape drug GHB from June 2014 to September 2015
The statement continued: ‘The whole of the Met is committed to improving our investigations, our relationships and the trust people have in us to keep them safe.
‘Since the deaths of Anthony, Gabriel, Daniel and Jack we continue to work hard to ensure the service we provide is better while understanding we have more to do.
‘Learning and recommendations from the IOPC, His Majesty’s Coroner, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services and our LGBT+ Independent Advisory Group of community members have enabled us to make a range of improvements so far.
‘These include restoring full time LGBT+ liaison officers across the Met to focus on working with LGBT+ people and organisations in London, how we respond to and investigate unexpected deaths, and family liaison.’
A lawyer for the families of Port’s victims, Solicitor Neil Hudgell of Hudgell Solicitors, said the four families very much welcome today’s announcement that eight officers are to be investigated for gross misconduct.
‘Given the history of this case and frustrations of the past, they are cautiously encouraged by the reopening of the investigation, which must be seen to be full and fearless, and with the complete cooperation of the Metropolitan Police Service and the officers under scrutiny.
‘No comment interviews simply will not do.
‘This latest development is testament to the determination and perseverance the families have shown over the past eight years with regards to the Met Police’s investigations into the loss of their loved ones.
‘We would not have reached this point without their dedication to ensuring to ensure full transparency and accountability.’