Daniel Morgan murder: Met police commissioner Cressida Dick rejects claims her force is institutionally corrupt

An independent investigation into the 1987 unsolved murder of Daniel Morgan found Met officers put the force’s reputation ahead of finding the private investigator’s killer
By Chelsea Rocks
16th Jun 2021, 7:03pm
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The Metropolitan Police commissioner has defended her force, following report findings which claim the Met police is institutionally corrupt.

Dame Cressida Dick has come under fire, facing calls to resign, following accusations she obstructed the work of an inquiry into the Daniel Morgan case.

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Dick refused to accept the findings from an independent panel, which found officers put the forces reputation ahead of solving the 1987 murder of private investigator Mr Morgan.

Dame Cressida Dick has faced calls to resign as a report into the Metropolitan Police's handling of the Daniel Morgan murder case finds the force is institutionally corrupt (Picture: Getty Images)Dame Cressida Dick has faced calls to resign as a report into the Metropolitan Police's handling of the Daniel Morgan murder case finds the force is institutionally corrupt (Picture: Getty Images)
Dame Cressida Dick has faced calls to resign as a report into the Metropolitan Police's handling of the Daniel Morgan murder case finds the force is institutionally corrupt (Picture: Getty Images)

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‘I don’t accept that we are institutionally corrupt’

On Wednesday 16 June, the day after the report was published, Dick said “I don’t believe we are institutionally corrupt. No, I don’t accept that.

“I have the deepest feelings for Daniel Morgan’s family. They have shown extraordinary grit and determination and courage.

Private Investigator Morgan was found murdered in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, struck several times on his head by an axe (Picture: PA)Private Investigator Morgan was found murdered in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, struck several times on his head by an axe (Picture: PA)
Private Investigator Morgan was found murdered in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, struck several times on his head by an axe (Picture: PA)
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“And yesterday I apologised again to them for our failings and the fact that we have not brought anybody to justice despite six investigations and countless other reviews and pieces of work.

“And for the fact that, in so doing and along the way, we have clearly, we the Met, my force of which I’m very proud to be the commissioner, we have caused them extra anguish.

“But I don’t accept that we are institutionally corrupt, no.”

Morgan’s family have said Dick should “absolutely” be reconsidering her suitability for her role as commissioner, following the report’s publication.

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She defended Scotland Yard’s work and her job, as the report led by Baroness Nuala O’Loan found the force “dishonest” for “concealing or denying failings, for the sake of the organisation’s public image.”

‘dishonesty… for reputational benefit’

The panel’s report said: “Concealing or denying failings, for the sake of the organisation’s public image, is dishonesty on the part of the organisation for reputational benefit and constitutes a form of institutional corruption.”

In 2011, the Met admitted gross negligence in that it inadequately investigated Mr Morgan’s death in the initial aftermath of his murder - the murder scene was left unsearched and unguarded. The force accepted it had been hampered by corruption.

But O’Lean’s independent panel found corruption had stretched beyond the initial inquiry, and questioned why no none of those who corruptly sabotaged the investigation were brought to justice.