Statement on HMIC Report into Stephen Port Murders

In response to the publication of the HMICFRS report into the Stephen Port murders, Unmesh Desai, London Assembly Labour’s Policing Spokesperson said:

“This report makes for uncomfortable but extremely necessary reading – setting out very clearly that institutional homophobia played a part in the failure to protect Port’s victims. Today’s report only adds to what the Casey Review has exposed as to the extent of institutional homophobia in the Met.

“The murders of Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor shook the LGBT+ community in London and particularly in my constituency of Barking and Dagenham. I want to remember their lives and legacies, and pay tribute to their families. In particular, I want to thank the sisters of Jack Taylor, who have campaigned tirelessly for justice, meeting with Lord Michael Cashman and Stonewall, and fighting to make sure these atrocities aren’t repeated. I will continue to work with them, alongside Margaret Mullane, to make sure Jack and the other men are never forgotten.

“Sir Mark Rowley has made progress in his brief time at the Met, committing to root out bad attitudes and poor behaviour. He has my support in this, and as part of his important work, I want to see homophobia stamped out of the Met.

“Our LGBT+ community deserve to feel safe in London, but sadly we still have far to go and I will continue to make this work my priority.”

ENDS