Claims that Special Branch officers attempted to interfere in an inquiry that would have revealed an MP was involved in child sex crimes is one of 13 new allegations of police corruption being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The investigations concern 12 allegations of corruption in the Metropolitan Police and one allegation of corruption in Essex Police. All are linked to child sex offences dating from the 1970s to the 2000s.

This is in addition to the 17 investigations announced earlier this year. All relate to allegations about:

• Suppressing evidence;
• Hindering or halting investigations;
• Covering up the offences because of the involvement of members of parliament and police officers

The majority of the investigations stem from allegations made by retired Met officers. 

The allegations are that:

• A prosecution against a government official who was in possession of indecent images of children was not pursued following instruction from senior officers and lawyers.
• An investigation into a paedophile ring in south-west London in the 1970s was shut down prematurely on instruction of senior or high-ranking officers.
• Evidence, relating to child abuse at a youth club in 1980s and 1990s that involved politicians and council officers, went missing from a London police station.
• An MP was only charged with specimen charges for child sex offences and not more numerous or serious offences.
• Paperwork and evidence relating to child sex offences involving an MP disappeared and the MP was released without charge
• There was a failure to investigate child sex offences involving an MP due to instructions from senior or high-ranking officers.
• There were attempts by Special Branch in the 1970s to interfere in an investigation that would have revealed an MP to be involved in child sex offences.
• An investigation into a west London paedophile ring in the 1980s had evidence removed and was threatened with closure by senior officer if it uncovered evidence against VIPs.
• An MP was arrested and then released without charge on the instruction of senior officers following an investigation into a south London paedophile ring in the 1980s. Also alleges officers were threatened with breaking the Official Secrets Act if they spoke of the events.
• An investigation into child sex abuse in central London in the 1980s was halted when it became apparent that an MP was involved.
• An investigation into child sex offences committed by an MP was taken over by officers from Special Branch and then not progressed.
• An officer serving with the Metropolitan Police was involved in a paedophile ring in north London and that evidence was covered up by Special Branch.
• Intelligence was provided by a witness, during a separate investigation, indicating an MP was involved in child sex abuse and that this was not investigated by Essex Police.