Man in charge of policing Sarah Everard’s vigil responsible for Met’s response to child abuse probe

Spotlight falls on senior vigil officer: Man in charge of policing Saturday’s vigil for Sarah Everard is responsible for Scotland Yard’s response to disastrous ‘VIP child abuse’ probe

  • Officer in charge of policing Saturday’s vigil also responsible for the Met Police’s response to 2014 child abuse probe launched after false allegations made
  • Fantasist Carl Beech alleged rape and murder involving Establishment figures
  • Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist was Gold Commander yesterday

The senior officer in charge of policing Saturday’s vigil is also responsible for the Met’s response to its disastrous VIP child abuse probe.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist was Gold Commander for the operation in Clapham, meaning he had overall command of the officers on the ground and set its ‘overarching strategy’.

Mr Twist also leads Operation Larimar, which was set up to implement recommendations made by retired High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques following the £2.5million inquiry into false claims of a murderous Establishment paedophile ring. 

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist (pictured) was Gold Commander for the operation in Clapham, meaning he had overall command of the officers on the ground and set its ‘overarching strategy’

leads Operation Larimar, which was set up to implement recommendations made by retired High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques following the £2.5million inquiry into false claims of a murderous Establishment paedophile ring made by Carl Beech (pictured)

leads Operation Larimar, which was set up to implement recommendations made by retired High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques following the £2.5million inquiry into false claims of a murderous Establishment paedophile ring made by Carl Beech (pictured)

Sir Richard identified 43 mistakes by the Met and made 25 urgent recommendations.

The investigation was launched in 2014 following false allegations made by made by fantasist Carl Beech of rape and murder involving Establishment figures.

No officer has been held to account for the mistakes, with Steve Rodhouse, who was in overall charge, allowed to take up a £250,000-a-year job with the National Crime Agency.

Mr Twist also led a review into Scotland Yard’s use of handcuffs after Team GB sprinter Bianca Williams was subjected to a stop-and-search last July.

This led to new rules for officers, who must now justify any use of handcuffs.

He also leads Scotland Yard’s response to the pandemic and has promised harsh punishments for those who do not stick to lockdown rules.

Sir Richard and six former home secretaries have all written to Priti Patel (pictured with Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist in January)  calling for a fresh independent inquiry into Operation Midland

Sir Richard and six former home secretaries have all written to Priti Patel (pictured with Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist in January)  calling for a fresh independent inquiry into Operation Midland

In January he said officers had been told to be quicker to issue fines, adding that rule breakers would meet a ‘strong response.’

Sir Richard and six former home secretaries have all written to Priti Patel calling for a fresh independent inquiry into Operation Midland.

Merseyside Police are investigating Scotland Yard’s decision not to examine two false complainants, men known as A and B, who gave accounts that backed up Beech’s claims.