Fury as head of chaotic Scotland Yard VIP abuse investigation keeps job

The failure to suspend the head of gaffe-prone Scotland Yard’s chaotic VIP abuse investigation from his £200,000-a-year job sparked widespread furor yesterday.

Despite the revelation that Steve Rodhouse is facing gross misconduct proceedings over Operation Midland, the former deputy deputy commissioner at the Met remains deputy deputy director at the National Crime Agency.

Victims of his botched investigation and former police chiefs have united in condemning the decision to keep him at the head of the operations of the agency where he is at the forefront of the fight against international organized crime.

Their comments put pressure on Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

The agency is accountable to her and she has regular dealings with NCA chief executive Graeme Biggar, Mr Rodhouse’s immediate boss. Insiders told the Mail that Mr Rodhouse had been moved to a ‘back office’ role at the NCA.

The suspension line broke after the Mail revealed that Mr Rodhouse was facing serious misconduct proceedings

The suspension line broke after the Mail revealed that Mr Rodhouse was facing serious misconduct proceedings following a damning investigation by the newspaper last year.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct ruled he should face a disciplinary hearing over allegations he lied in public at the end of Midland.

The dramatic development, following the Mail’s eight-year campaign for justice and accountability, marks another low point at the scandal-ridden Met.

Mr Rodhouse is the first officer to face disciplinary proceedings over Midland, widely regarded as Scotland Yard’s worst investigation in modern times.

Former Detective Chief Inspector Paul Settle, who exposed Mr Rodhouse’s disastrous pursuit of innocent VIPs, accused law enforcement chiefs of ‘double standards’. “If it was a junior officer charged with gross misconduct, he would be removed from operational duties or suspended immediately,” Mr Settle said.

Former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, who was falsely accused of child murder and sexual abuse by serial liar Carl ‘Nick’ Beech, has claimed a network of old boys in the police establishment could “protect” Mr. Rodhouse.

“He should be suspended if he is not sacked,” added Mr Proctor, who received a £900,000 payment from the Met for his ordeal at Midland.

Former Met Deputy Deputy Commissioner Steve Rodhouse is set to face a disciplinary board over allegations he lied in public at the end of Operation Midland, the police watchdog has claimed

In the past, the Met has repeatedly defended Mr Rodhouse’s conduct

Head of Scotland Yard’s catastrophic VIP sex abuse inquiry faces gross misconduct proceedings

A godson of former Prime Minister Edward Heath, wrongly accused by pedophile Beech, has also called for Mr Rodhouse to be suspended.

Lincoln Seligman said: ‘After far too long, he is the first senior police officer to be held accountable for his actions in Operations Midland and Conifer (a linked investigation by Wiltshire Police into false sex allegations against Sir Edward).

“Too many other officers have also left the mess and taken on very well paid jobs. Perhaps their days are numbered.

The decision to charge Mr Rodhouse with gross misconduct comes six months after he received a formal notice alleging he used ‘inaccurate or dishonest’ words at the end of Midland.

The decision to charge Mr Rodhouse with gross misconduct comes six months after he received a formal notice alleging he used ‘inaccurate or dishonest’ words (pictured in 2019)

Former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, Lord Bramall and the late former Home Secretary Lord Brittan (left to right) who had their homes raided during Operation Midland

Former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said: ‘I am deeply sorry for the mistakes that were made’ during the force’s investigations into false allegations of sexual abuse in 2019.

During his checkered career, he carried out chaotic investigations into a false rape allegation made by a mentally ill Labor activist against Lord Brittan and genuine sexual abuse allegations against Jimmy Savile while he was alive.

Despite this, Mr Rodhouse was promoted in 2018 to chief executive (operations) of the NCA under Dame Lynne Owens, his former Met boss.

It also emerged that he had “exploited a loophole” to dodge an interview with investigators.

As he was no longer a serving police officer, he could not be compelled to appear in person and gave a written statement instead.

A spokesman for the NCA said: “We are aware that the IOPC Fund has decided that there is a case for serious misconduct relating to a senior officer of the NCA, following a complaint related to the Metropolitan Police Operation Midland.

“The IOPC Fund is required under the relevant legislation to enter into a period of consultation with the parties concerned regarding a disciplinary hearing. We will cooperate fully with the IOPC Fund on this matter.

The agency added that “the officer will not be suspended at this stage.” However, last night insiders said Mr Rodhouse had been moved to a ‘back office’ role.