1 year ago
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Image source, PA Media
Sir Stephen House was the archetypal main constable of Police Scotland
A erstwhile Met Police lawman commissioner is being investigated aft allegedly saying the "bulk" of rape complaints are "regretful sex".
It is claimed Sir Stephen House made these comments to a Home Office advisor successful January 2022.
The unit said the comments are "wholly unacceptable", and the substance has been referred to the constabulary watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Sir Stephen said: "I categorically contradict utilizing the operation 'regretful sex'."
The accusation was made connected Channel 4 News by Professor Betsy Stanko, a Home Office advisor appointed to behaviour Operation Soteria - which is examining the mode constabulary forces respond to rape cases.
She spoke to Sir Stephen erstwhile helium was lawman commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
Horrific offence
She said: "It felt arsenic if helium was trying to minimise what the occupation was, not taking it seriously.
"He utilized presumption to picture - oregon a word to picture - what helium thought the bulk of the rape complaints were, which was the word 'regretful sex'."
Met Police Deputy Commissioner Dame Lynne Owens said: "Rape is simply a horrific offence that has a devastating and lasting impact.
"The comments included successful the Operation Soteria Bluestone study are wholly unacceptable.
"We recognise that they hazard further undermining the assurance of victims to travel guardant and that is profoundly regrettable.
"Having been made alert of an allegation that the comments were made by a elder Metropolitan Police officer, we person referred the substance to the Independent Office for Police Conduct."
Findings from Operation Soteria declared immoderate officers "displayed a civilization of disbelieving victims".
In a statement, Sir Stephen House said: "I person dedicated implicit 4 decades of nationalist work to protecting the nationalist from predatory offenders.
"These are not words I person ever utilized successful narration to rape oregon intersexual battle and the crushed I americium truthful definite that I did not accidental this is due to the fact that I simply bash not judge it; I find the operation abhorrent.
"I find this characterisation of maine to beryllium profoundly upsetting, and colleagues who cognize maine cognize however untrue it is."
Sir Stephen has held a fig of elder positions, including serving arsenic Police Scotland's archetypal main constable betwixt 2012 and 2015 and being appointed arsenic Acting Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police successful April 2022 aft Dame Cressida Dick near the position.
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