Police have reopened an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against Andrew Tate.
Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed it would re-investigate alleged rape and sexual assault crimes reported to the force between 2014 and 2015.
This comes a day after the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said An investigation is underway into how the force handled the allegations after the case was closed in 2019After four years of investigation.
It said it was investigating a former detective constable, who may face gross misconduct proceedings for “alleged failures to conduct an investigation appropriately”, and two former detective sergeants who supervised the investigation.
Then on Thursday the force confirmed the allegations were being re-investigated.
A spokesperson said: “We are committed to doing what is right and ensuring that allegations of such a serious nature are investigated appropriately, thoroughly and thoroughly, no matter how long ago they were made.”
The reports were made by three women who alleged that the professional kickboxer used sexual violence against them.
In September last year, the CPS re-examined the claims and said the legal test to lay criminal charges had not been met.
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Earlier, Tate’s lawyers strongly denied the claims made against him, saying the allegations were “false” and that the alleged victims were “not controlled” by him and did not behave as if they were.
In a statement to Sky News after police confirmed they were reopening the investigation, their representatives highlighted that the CPS twice determined there was not enough evidence to lay charges.
Andrew Ford, of law firm Holborn Adams, said: “In the absence of any new and credible evidence, the decision to retrial on the same charges raises serious and legitimate concerns about the integrity of the process.
“This leaves the inevitable impression that Mr Tate is being repeatedly investigated not on the basis of the law or the evidence, but on the basis of who he is.
“Mr. Tate categorically denies all allegations. He will continue to engage in any legal process.”
