Particle.news

Download on the App Store

IOPC Withdraws Misconduct Charges Against Ex-Met Officer After New Evidence Emerges

The watchdog apologised for missing crucial evidence that ultimately cleared Rodhouse of improper motive.

Image
Steve Rodhouse had said the allegations against him as “ill-founded and incorrect”

Overview

  • The IOPC said it dropped gross misconduct proceedings after the Metropolitan Police disclosed over 3,500 emails and attachments that had been previously withheld.
  • Rodhouse faced scrutiny over his 2016 public comments on the honesty of two witnesses in Operation Midland, a probe later criticised for procedural failures.
  • Operation Midland, launched in 2014 on the basis of false claims by Carl Beech, ended in 2016 without any arrests and led to Beech’s 2019 conviction for making false allegations.
  • In its statement, the IOPC found no evidence of inappropriate motivation in Rodhouse’s remarks and reported a potential crime to another force for separate investigation.
  • Harvey Proctor, who was among those wrongly accused, described the decision as “appalling” and called for greater accountability within the force.