Metropolitan Police's approach to tackling police corruption not fit for purpose, watchdog finds

The force was criticised for failing to learn all the lessons from its failed investigation into the 1987 murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan from Monmouthshire.

The Metropolitan Police approach to tackling police corruption is not fit for purpose, a watchdog has found.

The force was criticised for failing to learn all the lessons from its failed investigation into the 1987 murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan in a pub car park, which has long been mired in claims of corruption.

The report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published on Tuesday also found "dire" procedures for seized items with hundreds of exhibits including cash and drugs going unaccounted for.

The latest findings come in the wake of a series of scandals for London's police force, including violently racist, misogynistic and homophobic messages exchanged by officers and the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer.

Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr said: "It is unacceptable that 35 years after Daniel Morgan's murder, the Metropolitan Police has not done enough to ensure its failings from that investigation cannot be repeated.

"In fact, we found no evidence that someone, somewhere, had adopted the view that this must never happen again.

"This will be understandably distressing for Mr Morgan's family and friends, to whom we send our condolences."

Mr Morgan's family previously accused the Met of having a "culture of corruption" and announced they were suing the force.

In its report, HMICFRS inspectors reviewed the various investigations into Mr Morgan's murder, singling out lost opportunities during the initial homicide probe in 1987 and 1988.

Although six men, including three who were then serving police officers, were arrested in connection with the murder, it did not lead to any charges.

Inspectors said: "The management of that initial investigation was very poor.

"And there was strong suspicion that at least some of those who were to be arrested were alerted beforehand through the improper disclosure of information (a 'tip off')."

Other findings in the report include:

• Over the past two years, the Met has recruited people with criminal connections and more than 100 people who have committed offences. Inspectors said some of these recruitment decisions may have been justifiable, but argued the force failed to properly supervise these people to lessen the risks
• The force does not know whether all those in sensitive posts - such as child protection, major crime investigation, and informant handling - have been cleared to the level of security vetting needed
• Over 2,000 warrant cards issued to personnel who had since left the force were unaccounted for

On corruption, Mr Parr said: "We found substantial weaknesses in the Met's approach to tackling police corruption.

"From failing to properly supervise police officers who have previously committed offences, to inadequate vetting procedures, and much more besides, it is clear that the current arrangements are not fit for purpose.

"The Met's apparent tolerance of these shortcomings suggests a degree of indifference to the risk of corruption.

"We have made several recommendations for change. If public confidence in the Metropolitan Police is to be improved, they should be among the commissioner's highest priorities."

Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was "very disappointed that serious issues still persist", adding: "Standards must be immediately improved. I expect the Mayor of London and the new commissioner to reverse these deficiencies as a matter of urgency."

A statement from the Met Police said: "We welcome the Police Inspectorate's report and realise there is a lot we need to improve on.

"This is another difficult day for the family of Daniel Morgan. We apologise to them again. No individual or family should ever be let down by policing in the way they have been.

"We have not given up on this case. There still remains a possibility of solving this murder. Our work to make that happen will not stop no matter how much time passes.

"There is clearly much more work to do when it comes to tackling corruption in its widest sense. We are absolutely committed to this."

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "The findings of the police inspectorate's report into the Metropolitan Police Service's approach to tackling corruption are deeply worrying.

"It is crystal clear to me that action needs to be taken at the highest levels of the Met in order to regain the trust and confidence of Londoners.

"Corruption has no place in the police service and with the failure to take adequate action, it's another reason confidence in our police almost at an all-time low."

No one brought to justice over murder

Despite five police inquiries and an inquest, no one has been brought to justice over the axe murder of Morgan - a father-of-two - in a pub car park in Sydenham in 1987.

However, despite fierce criticism of the Met's failure to bring Mr Morgan's killer to justice, the report did not describe the force as institutionally corrupt.

Indeed, the Met's capabilities for investigating the most serious corruption allegations were praised as "particularly impressive".

An independent panel examining Mr Morgan's death produced a 1,251-page report in June 2021 accusing "a form of institutional corruption" for concealing or denying its failures in the case.

The damning report found there were "multiple very significant failings" in the investigation from the moment his body was discovered.

The handling of the murder scene was "totally inadequate", it was not searched and it was left unguarded, the panel said.