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Metropolitan Police: Stephen Port Murders Inquest
13 December 2021
Lead MP
Kit Malthouse
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Policing & ResourcesCrime & Law EnforcementJustice & Courts
Other Contributors: 19
At a Glance
Kit Malthouse raised concerns about metropolitan police: stephen port murders inquest in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Minister expressed deep concern over the deaths of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth, and Jack Taylor. He acknowledged that the Metropolitan Police's investigative failures likely contributed to three of these deaths and emphasised the need for accountability and improvement. The Metropolitan Police has committed to better training, new structures for closer collaboration among teams, and a deeper understanding of drug GHB in sexual assaults. The Minister highlighted the importance of independent scrutiny through HMICFRS and IOPC inspections, as well as rebuilding trust with communities, particularly the LGBT+ community. He also noted that only last Thursday he attended police bravery awards, underscoring the generally commendable work of police officers.
Question
The right hon. Margaret Hodge questioned whether the Metropolitan Police is institutionally homophobic and demanded a full public inquiry into institutional homophobia within the police service to regain trust from the LGBTQ+ community. She also inquired about the effectiveness of the IOPC given that seventeen investigated officers received no disciplinary action.
Minister reply
Kit Malthouse acknowledged the tragedy but disagreed with the characterization of the Metropolitan Police as institutionally homophobic, stating it is not his experience. He mentioned Baroness Casey's examination of police culture following Sarah Everard’s murder will include looking at such prejudices. The Minister expressed confidence in the IOPC to investigate and noted that reforms have been made since its establishment.
Question
The hon. Mark Fletcher stressed the need for high standards within police forces regarding homophobia, racism, sexism, etc., and called for tackling prejudice to prevent such cases from happening again.
Minister reply
Kit Malthouse agreed that leadership is crucial in setting a standard against all forms of prejudice, and he highlighted ongoing inquiries and structural changes aimed at addressing these issues. He also commended the daily remarkable work done by police officers across the country.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Question
The MP questions if a further independent inquiry is required to get to the truth of how and why things went wrong in the Metropolitan Police's investigation into the deaths of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth, and Jack Taylor. She expresses concern over homophobia blighting the investigation and whether it affected the treatment of victims' families.
Minister reply
Kit Malthouse reassures that the Metropolitan Police has made structural changes to improve co-ordination among homicide teams and better analysis of patterns of offending. The Home Office is reviewing three steps already in place: Her Majesty's Inspectorate looking at investigative practices, the Met commissioning Dame Louise Casey to review internal culture, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct considering reopening investigations.
Question
The MP asks for assurance that the Home Secretary will support efforts to root out institutional homophobia in the Metropolitan police to reassure the gay community of London.
Minister reply
Kit Malthouse reassures and supports the commissioner's efforts. The Met has a new LGBTQ+ organisational improvement group, a network of volunteer advisers, better training for officers on dealing with local communities including LGBTQ members.
Karl Turner
Lab
Kingston upon Hull East
Question
The MP expresses the concerns and lack of trust from Sarah Sak, Anthony’s mother, regarding discrimination in the Metropolitan police's response. She asks for action to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
Minister reply
Kit Malthouse offers condolences and acknowledges failings by family liaison officers. He assures that Baroness Casey will thoroughly examine the culture of the Met.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
The MP questions whether action will be taken against officers found guilty of failing in investigations and driving, to maintain confidence in the institution as a whole.
Minister reply
Kit Malthouse states that 17 officers were investigated by the IOPC. The IOPC is considering reopening these investigations based on evidence from the inquest.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Question
The MP raises concerns about trust issues among her LGBTQ+ constituents due to a catalogue of failures by the Metropolitan police, demanding a full public investigation.
Minister reply
Kit Malthouse understands anger and frustration but is reassured that the Met acknowledges failings, seeks independent advice on processes and culture for change. He hopes this means rebuilding trust over time.
Question
The MP questions why the Home Secretary extended the commissioner's tenure despite these failures, given a plea from one of the murder victims' partners not to be treated as next of kin.
Minister reply
Kit Malthouse explains that the current commissioner is deemed right for the job by the Home and Mayor of London. He acknowledges the importance of culture changes with the appointment of Dame Louise Casey.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Question
The MP references a poll indicating falling trust in police, especially among marginalised groups, and asks for mandatory UK-wide awareness training on prejudice and unconscious bias.
Minister reply
Kit Malthouse acknowledges the battering of trust but notes extensive police training. He highlights significant changes in recruitment to diversify and shift the police culture over the past 20 years.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Question
Something as appalling as this deserves more than to be tacked on to an existing inquiry. It surely requires a public inquiry, as other colleagues have called for, to look at the totality and horror of this event.
Minister reply
Obviously there is a strong role for specialist officers in particular aspects of investigation or in investigations that have particular characteristics. The key thing is that those officers work hand in glove with other officers... Therefore, the chain in intelligence and the appreciation of the full picture, if you like, of what has happened in a related set of offences will not be lost to the organisation.
Nia Griffith
Lab
Llanelli
Question
What protocols has the Minister put in place since these tragic events, not just in the Met but across all police forces, to ensure that friends, partners and families of those in the LGBT community are treated effectively and sensitively in any form of investigation?
Minister reply
As I hope the hon. Lady knows, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill... We should wait and see what the IOPC has to say and wait for the other inquiries commissioned by City Hall and by the Met, and see what the picture looks like after that.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham
Question
The response from the Government smacks of the same old, same old response of shutting down shop when the police are criticised in this way... What is needed is a fully independent inquiry.
Minister reply
I understand the hon. Gentleman’s frustration... We should wait and see what the IOPC has to say and wait for the other inquiries commissioned by City Hall and by the Met, and see what the picture looks like after that.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda
Question
The Minister has said repeatedly that he has reassured himself, but he has not reassured me—if anything, quite the opposite... That is why a lot of gay men in this country are beginning to feel frightened. The Government have got to do something.
Minister reply
First of all, my apologies, Mr Speaker. I was not aiming any particular comment at you... We absolutely do.
Luke Pollard
Lab Co-op
Plymouth Sutton
Question
Homophobia is a lived reality for thousands of gay people up and down the country every single day... A full public independent inquiry will give LGBT people the reassurance that something will be done to stop this ever happening again.
Minister reply
I have to confess that I object to this characterisation that I do not care or that we do not care about these individuals. It is completely unfair and completely untrue, not least to those members of the Government who happen to be of that description themselves... We need to learn the lessons from it and we are determined to do so.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith
Question
The Minister’s response to the urgent question from my right hon. Friend the Member for Barking, which should have been a statement from the Home Secretary... That is not being addressed because it will not be included in the inquiry, and the Minister will not establish a full inquiry.
Minister reply
First, it is not the case that this matter is not being investigated further. As I have outlined several times, a number of lines of inquiry are being pursued... It is very unfair to accuse us of not taking these murders extremely seriously—that is exactly what we are doing and we are determined to make sure that they do not happen again.
Rupa Huq
Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
Question
Referring to the Daniel Morgan, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman cases, Sarah Everard case, Wembley incident, and recent gay murders, the MP asks if the Minister recognises these as horrific gay murders driven by homophobia or a depraved sexual practice.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges that these are indeed horrific gay murders targeted against men because they were gay. He states that these need to be investigated thoroughly and expresses hope in ongoing inquiries into the culture of the Metropolitan police.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Question
The MP asks if the Minister is satisfied with the time, resources, and leadership across UK police forces to prevent a similar breakdown in oversight as described by the jury in recent hearings.
Minister reply
The Minister explains that his work over the past two years has focused on improving murder investigation processes, forensics, techniques, and prior identification. He also highlights recent meetings with police chiefs across the country.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
The MP inquires if normal procedures were followed in this case and seeks affirmation that there are no levels of importance assigned to cases in terms of inquiry and evidence procedure.
Minister reply
While consistency is sought, the Minister notes a category of unexplained deaths which may initially be classified as non-suspicious. He mentions steps taken by the Metropolitan police to improve investigation procedures and ensure all stones are turned over.
Shadow Comment
Margaret Hodge
Shadow Comment
The Shadow Minister criticised the Metropolitan Police for systemic failures and potential institutional homophobia in their handling of these cases. She pointed out specific instances of incompetence, such as not checking a murderer's laptop due to cost concerns, neglecting CCTV checks, and failing to connect related deaths. Margaret Hodge demanded a full public inquiry into whether there is institutional homophobia within the police service and questioned the effectiveness of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). She urged action from the Home Office, Metropolitan Police, and Mayor's office to address these issues.
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