Met Police Ch Supt Simon Ovens facing probe over child abuse clip contact By Danny Shaw

Home affairs correspondent Published duration 29 November 2019

A senior Met Police officer is facing an inquiry over his contact with another officer prior to her conviction for possession of an indecent image.

It has emerged she contacted Ch Supt Simon Ovens for advice.

The Met says it is alleged he may have failed to disclose information that could have helped in an investigation.

She had denied the charge, saying she "zoned out" when she received the video.

The 54-year-old was sentenced to do 200 hours' unpaid work and could be sacked.

image copyright PA image caption Supt Robyn Williams, pictured with London mayor Sadiq Khan, was highly commended for her work helping families affected by the Grenfell Tower disaster

The BBC has learned Ch Supt Ovens, the chair of the Met Police Superintendents'​ Association, is himself the subject of an inquiry by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) connected to the case.

A statement issued by the IOPC said it received a referral from the Met in June 2018.

'Restricted duties'

It added: "At that time we advised the officer that we had started a criminal investigation into those allegations.

"The officer was served with a notice informing them they were subject of a misconduct investigation. It should be noted that the serving of a notice in no way indicates disciplinary proceedings will follow.

"We suspended our investigation in November 2018 because of linked criminal proceedings which have now concluded, meaning the IOPC investigation has now resumed."

The Met Police said Ch Supt Ovens was on "restricted duties".

Ch Supt Ovens declined to comment.

Related Topics Metropolitan Police Service