Inspection of Tower Hamlets mayoral election 2014

Part of: Specific reviews

In 2017, the Mayor of London’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) asked HMICFRS to inspect a Metropolitan Police Service operation into alleged criminal offences arising from the 2014 mayoral election in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which involved the outgoing mayor, Lutfur Rahman of the Tower Hamlets First party.

HMICFRS accepted the commission under the provisions set out in section 54(2BA) of the Police Act 1996 (inserted by section 83 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011), and in accordance with the following terms of reference:

“1. To inspect and provide assurance of the Metropolitan Police Service’s review and re-investigation of alleged criminal offences arising from the 2014 mayoral election in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets;
2. To further monitor developments through Metropolitan Police diamond and gold governance groups;
3. To provide MOPAC with interim assurance reports on a quarterly basis, with particular regard to resourcing, governance and progress towards objectives; and
4. To provide MOPAC with a final report, identifying lessons learned and best practice for the future.”

In line with the terms of reference, HMICFRS undertook quarterly interim inspections to fully monitor the operation. At the end of each quarterly inspection, HMICFRS reviewed the necessity for further inspections before moving on to the final report.

Reports

Operation Lynemouth: First interim report

Operation Lynemouth: Second interim report

Operation Lynemouth: Third interim report

Operation Lynemouth: Fourth interim report

Operation Lynemouth: Final report