Lord Bramall: Met refuses to apologise over dropped child abuse investigation

Scotland Yard has refused to apologise to Lord Bramall over its inquiry into child abuse allegations against him.

The refusal comes after Lord Bramall's son called a statement from the police which said there was insufficient evidence to proceed against the peer "well overdue yet grossly inadequate".

London Mayor Boris Johnson also joined calls for Lord Bramall to receive a "full and heartfelt" apology for his treatment.

Assistant Commissioner Patricia Gallan has said she had "every sympathy with Lord Bramall and his late wife and regret the distress they endured during this investigation".

Former armed forces chief Lord Bramall told ITV News he was "delighted" that the Met Police had offered to meet to discuss the investigation, even though it refused to issue an apology.

He said: "I understand the police have said they will send a very senior officer around to talk to me about what they were doing.

"I am absolutely delighted to hear this. I would welcome her whenever she is able to come. I am only sorry that I haven't seen one already."

On why there the Met would not be making an apology, Assistant Commissioner Patricia Gallan said in a statement that the force "endeavoured to act with courtesy and professionalism at all times" during the investigation.

She added that if the police apologised whenever it investigated allegations that did not lead to a charge it could "have a harmful impact on the judgments made by officers and on the confidence of the public."