Scotland Yard 'covered up child sex crimes'

The police watchdog in England is investigating claims that Scotland Yard covered up child sex offences because of the involvement of MPs and police officers.

The UK's Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it is investigating 14 referrals detailing alleged corruption in the Metropolitan Police which relate to child sex offences from the 1970s to the 2000s.

Sarah Green, deputy chair of the IPCC, said: “These allegations are of historic, high level corruption of the most serious nature. We will oversee the investigations and ensure that they meet the terms of reference that we will set.

“Allegations of this nature are of grave concern and I would like to reassure people of our absolute commitment to ensuring that the investigations are thorough and robust.”