A Metropolitan Police officer involved in two collapsed rape cases was removed from active duty last night. Detective Constable Mark Azariah was stood down as a “precaution” while the force reviews all open sex abuse cases, prioritising roughly 30 alleged rapes about to go to trial.

Two cases collapsed in one week after failure to disclose material that assisted the defence. Jeremy Wright, QC, the attorney-general, described them as “appalling failures”. Mr Wright is conducting a review and Theresa May told the Commons: “It is important that we look at this again so we make sure we are truly providing justice.”

The Times understands that at least two other police officers were involved in the disclosure process in the case of Isaac Itiary, 25, which