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The Metropolitan Police should investigate itself over the arrest of the “Putney pusher” suspect Nicholas Brandram, the police watchdog has said.
His family called for the investigation to be “thorough, independent and unflinching in establishing what went wrong” after Mr Brandram, 44, was found dead at his home earlier this month. He had been under investigation by the force for the 2017 incident, in which a jogger shoved a woman into the path of an oncoming bus on London’s Putney Bridge.
He was arrested on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm in connection with the case in June this year and released under investigation in early September.
Police said the death was “unexpected”, and was not believed to be suspicious. The force later referred itself to the police watchdog over its contact with Mr Brandram while he was under investigation.
In a statement on Friday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the Met should investigate itself over “matters including the necessity and proportionality of arrest, what engagement was there with the media and considerations made in relation to Mr Brandram’s welfare”.
The Met confirmed an investigation would take place following the IOPC’s recommendation.
Mr Brandram’s family insisted he was innocent, and believe the former army captain took his own life after the Metropolitan Police failed to formally clear his name.
They said he was living with “shame, anxiety and humiliation” as a result of the investigation.
“There was no forensic evidence linking Nick to it, no evidence placing him on Putney Bridge at that time, and no credible evidence that he was the man shown in the footage. In fact, the evidence proved the opposite,” they said.
“Despite that, the police chose to arrest Nick rather than invite him to attend for interview. They searched his home and the Met Police press team then released information which inevitably led to speculation and Nick being identified in subsequent reporting.”
They said the police were repeatedly asked to end their investigation and were warned about the impact the investigation was having on Mr Brandram’s mental health.
Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles said earlier: “Our thoughts are with Mr Brandram’s family and friends at this deeply distressing time. We recognise the significant impact his death will have on those who knew and loved him. We also understand the strain that being subject to a police investigation can place on individuals and their families.”
The force said after Mr Brandram was released under investigation, officers’ enquiries into the offence continued.
Chf Supt Knowles added: “This remains the position, and further investigative work is ongoing. Investigations of this nature, particularly those involving complex evidential and forensic work, can take a number of months to complete as officers gather and assess all available evidence.”
On Friday, the force added: “Following an assessment, the IOPC has directed that the case be returned to the Met for investigation. This will now be carried out by the Directorate of Professional Standards”.
The IOPC said: “We received a mandatory referral from the Metropolitan Police on 16 September relating to prior contact officers had with Nicholas Brandram, who was sadly declared deceased on 15 September.
“After carefully considering the referral, we have decided that an investigation is required and that the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards should conduct it.
“We have recommended the review considers matters including the necessity and proportionality of arrest, what engagement was there with the media and considerations made in relation to Mr Brandram’s welfare and the relevant policy.
“Should the investigation conclude without identifying any potential misconduct for any officer involved, the force’s final investigation report must be submitted to the IOPC for review, to ensure independent oversight.”
An inquest into Mr Brandram’s death was opened and suspended at West London Coroner’s Court on Tuesday afternoon. Opening the inquest, the coroner Melanie Lee said Mr Brandram had not attended a family meal as planned on the evening of 15 September.
He was later found unresponsive by a family member, she said.
The coroner added the death had not been considered suspicious and there was “no evidence of third-party involvement”.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
