Family of 'Putney pusher' suspect say he was innocent and blame police for his death

The family said that police "chose to arrest Nick rather than invite him to attend for interview".

"They searched his home, and the Met Police press team then released information which inevitably led to speculation and Nick being identified in subsequent reporting," they said.

"For Nick, the consequences did not disappear. He was left for months carrying the stigma of an appalling allegation which the police themselves clearly recognised was unsupported by the evidence.

"He lived with the shame, anxiety, humiliation, and extraordinary pressure created by a wholly unnecessary investigation."

They said the police were repeatedly asked to end their investigation and warned about the impact the investigation was having on Brandram's mental health, saying: "Even then, the investigation was not brought to an end. As a result, Nick is dead."

While in police custody in June over the Putney Bridge incident, Brandram was also arrested on suspicion of possession of class A and class B drugs.

On Thursday, an IOPC spokesperson said: "We have received a mandatory referral from the Met Police relating to prior contact officers had with Nicholas Brandram, who was sadly found unresponsive and declared deceased on 15 September.

"We are currently assessing the referral before deciding whether further action is required from us."

Shortly after the Putney Bridge incident on 5 May 2017, investigating officer Sgt Mat Knowles said: "It was only due to the superb quick reactions of the bus driver that she was not hit by the vehicle."

Bus driver Oliver Salbris told the Sunday Times following the incident: "If I hadn't swerved, I would have smashed her head.

"It was reflex. The consequences would have been terrible for her – and for me."

It was reported at the time that around 15 minutes after the push, the jogger came back the other way across the bridge and ignored the victim when she tried to speak to him.

Detectives identified more than 50 people of interest following the incident.

The Met had initially closed its investigation in 2018 after three men had been arrested and released without charge.

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