Met Police set to probe itself over ‘Putney Pusher’ suspect’s death
The Metropolitan Police is set to probe its own handling of the arrest of the man, now dead, suspected of pushing a woman in front of a bus on Putney Bridge in 2017, after an assessment by the police watchdog.
The police were referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the death of multi-millionaire banker Nicholas Brandram.
In a media statement last week, chief superintendent Dan Knowles, in charge of policing for South West London, confirmed, “As is required whenever a person dies following previous contact with police, a mandatory referral was made to the IOPC on 16 September.”
The IOPC said in a statement shared with City AM on Friday: “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.”
The police watchdog added: “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.”
In a new media statement, the Met police said: “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.”
Family hit out at Met Police
Brandram was discovered dead in his West London property on 16 September. His sisters, Alexia Hicks and Sophie Voelcker, have accused the Met of being “negligent and reckless” during their investigation.
The 44-year-old was held on suspicion of grievous bodily harm in June this year.
This came nine years after the 33-year-old woman was pushed into the traffic by a jogger on Putney Bridge in West London. CCTV of the incident, which took place on 5 May 2017, showed a jogger pushing a female pedestrian on the bridge in Putney as a double-decker bus approached. The bus driver swerved in time, leaving the woman with minor injuries.
The Met Police described the man as being in his early to mid-30s, with short brown hair and a stocky build. He was also said to have been wearing dark blue shorts, trainers and a grey T-shirt.
At the time, police interviewed over 50 men and arrested three suspects, but the case was closed in 2018, and no one was charged.