VIP paedo probe cops ‘being turned into scapegoats’ in Operation Midland investigation as top brass are cleared, source claims
FIVE cops referred to the police watchdog over their roles in the Operation Midland fiasco have been described as “scapegoats” for top brass.
The claim was made after the damning probe into the absurd investigation exonerated Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe.
Assistant Commissioner Pat Gallan, in charge of the Met’s Specialist Operations command, was also cleared.
A source said: “It is outrageous the chiefs get away with it as those lower down the ranks take the rap. Pat Gallan was involved in Midland on a virtual day-to-day basis.
“The five are being made scapegoats.”
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A detective superintendent, a detective chief inspector, a detective inspector and a detective sergeant are four of those referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The fifth — and highest ranking — is Deputy Assistant Commissioner Steve Rodhouse.
He insisted: “I do not believe that I, or indeed any officer within Operation Midland, have committed any misconduct.”
The officer admitted lessons needed to be learned. But he stressed: “I want to emphasise that my colleagues and I investigated the allegations made with the best of intentions.”
Kenny McDonald — the detective superintendent in the doghouse — described sex claims against VIPs made by a fantasist called Nick as “credible and true”.
Coppers’ “union” the Police Federation said it was disappointed the officers face a probe.
