PRITI Patel has slammed the Met Police for a “failure of leadership” after sickening rape messages heaped further shame on the force.
Disgusting texts showed officers – mainly based at Charing Cross – joking about rape, killing black children and beating their wives.
7
Scotland Yard has apologised after a damning report was released by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
But the Home Secretary tore into the scandal-hit force after “too many instances where, in policing, we just see the most appalling behaviours”.
Ms Patel told the Commons Home Affairs Committee: “There are problems with the culture, and some aspects of the culture, within the Metropolitan Police.
“I do think there are some very, very serious and significant matters that need, not just following up, but further investigation.
“We’re not seeing one-off incidences. I think we should just be quite clear about that. We are not seeing one-off incidences, this is not isolated.
“We have seen now too, too many times, too many instances where, in policing, we just see the most appalling behaviours, the most appalling conduct.”
Most read in The Sun
She said the multiple “cultural issues” show a “failure of leadership in some quarters”.
The report found one officer was dubbed “mcrapey raperson” by colleagues after he was rumoured to have brought a woman to a police station for sex.
WhatsApp messages also included multiple references to sexual violence, with one reading: “I would happily rape you”.
In another disturbing message, an officer sickeningly boasts about domestic violence saying “knock a bird about and she will love you” adding they are “biologically programmed to like that s***”.
One cop also repeatedly boasted about having sex with a prostitute he met through work while another said he hit his girlfriend as “it makes them love you more”.
They also featured the use of homophobic and racist slurs, including references to African children, Somalis and the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz, the report said.
BOMBSHELL REPORT
The police watchdog started its investigation in March 2018 with nine of the 14 unnamed officers probed still serving.
They found that the offensive language was dismissed as so-called “banter” to hide bullying and harassment, and that officers felt unable to raise concerns.
The bombshell report is the latest crisis to hit the Met Police after after the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens.
The government is conducting a review of culture and standards in the Met in the wake of her death.
Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick is now facing renewed calls to quit as public trust in the police continues to plummet.
The scandal-ravaged chief has stood her ground despite numerous failings – including most recently her handling of the No10 “partygate” drama.
Ms Patel said she had “confidence” in Dame Cressida in a statement today but admitted “change is required”.
She added: “I’m very clear and upfront with the Commissioner about the problems that we see in the Metropolitan Police … with a range of failure points, where there’s – I’m not even going to call it underperforming – but behaviours, culture, particularly post the awful murder of Sarah Everard.
“And I’m very challenging directly with the Commissioner and I will continue to be so because the public want answers.”
7
7
7
7
7
7
