Putney Pusher: Police minister says up to Met to explain investigation after suspect's death

Scotland Yard has to explain its decision-making during its investigation into the “Putney Pusher” after the death of suspect Nicholas Brandram, says police minister Sarah Jones.

She told how she would be discussing the case with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.

Nicholas Brandram’s family have insisted he was not the so-called ‘Putney Pusher’

PA Media

The force has referred itself to the police watchdog over its contact with Mr Brandram, who was released under investigation following his arrest in relation to the incident on May 5 2017.

Asked if she was confident in how the Met Police had handled the investigation, Ms Jones told Times Radio: “The first thing to say is how awful that he's lost his life and obviously we're feeling for his family.

“I understand why they're wanting to speak out.”

The Croydon West MP added: “It's not for me to judge at this moment in time what the operational decisions are of the Met Police.

“It's for them to speak for themselves. But of course, we just offer condolences to the family in what is a terrible time for them.”

The jogger pushed the pedestrian in front of a bus

Met Police

Pressed whether she felt there were questions for the Met to answer, Ms Jones responded: “Well, look, I have regular conversations with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner. I'm sure it will be something that we will talk about.

“It's for them to explain what their decision-making was. They're operationally independent.

“It's not right for a minister to weigh in and have a view at this point.”

Police said on Thursday that the investigation into the “Putney Pusher” remains ongoing.

The Met has faced strong criticism from Mr Brandram’s family, who said he “took his own life after months of immense pressure” caused by the force’s investigation.

In a statement released on Thursday, Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles sought to defend the Met’s actions saying that “further investigative work” into what happened on Putney Bridge is “ongoing”.

He added: “Our thoughts are with Mr Brandram’s family and friends at this deeply distressing time.

“We recognise the significant impact his death will have on those who knew and loved him.

“We also understand the strain that being subject to a police investigation can place on individuals and their families.

“The investigation remains ongoing.”

Putney Pusher suspect Nicholas Brandram was found dead

Central news

They added: “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 Mr Brandram’s mental health, saying: “Even then, the investigation was not brought to an end.

“As a result, Nick is dead.”

Following the incident, the force confirmed a 44-year-old man had been released under investigation after being arrested in June after a jogger was filmed running past a man before lashing out at the female pedestrian.

Bus driver Oliver Salbris

ITV

He said if he had not swerved “I would have smashed her head”, adding: “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.

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