Met Police defends itself as judge criticises investigation of cleared officer

The Met Police has defended itself after a judge blasted an investigation into one of the force's inspectors, who was found not guilty of sexually assaulting three female colleagues during a night out.

On Thursday afternoon, the jury unanimously found Mr Newman not guilty of all three counts of sexual assault against the trio.

Judge Philip Bartle KC told the court he had “considerable concerns about the way the case was investigated”, adding it was “inexplicable that people did not provide a statement until very late”.

He stated one police officer “was not asked to provide a witness statement until the start of the trial, which I frankly find completely baffling”.

The judge went on: “We know that others were asked to provide their witness statements very late.

"Criminal proceedings should take priority, whether it is the police force or any other organisation."

Responding to judge's comment, a Met Police spokesman said on Friday: “We rebut any suggestion that this matter was not thoroughly investigated due to the report involving a serving police officer.

“This has been heard in court with the jury returning not guilty verdicts on all three counts.”

The judge also said on Thursday that he found it “very troubling” the Soho drinks event took place.

He added: “It seems quite extraordinary that a senior police officer would host a drinks party in which it was inevitable that people would drink too much.

“I do find it very troubling that this took place at all, with shots being handed out.”