Lord Brittan: Police probe 'ongoing' despite peer's death

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed a review of an alleged rape case against Lord Brittan "remains ongoing" despite his death on Thursday.

In a statement the Met Police said:

"In late 2012, a woman alleged to the Metropolitan Police Service that she was raped by a man in 1967 at an address in London.

The woman was over the age of 18 at the time of the incident.

An investigation was commenced by officers from the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command.

Advice was sought from the CPS, and both police and the CPS agreed at that time that there was insufficient evidence to proceed.

A subsequent review of the case was carried out and further lines of inquiry were conducted.

This included in June 2014, a man aged in his 70s being interviewed under caution by appointment at a central London location in connection with the allegation. He was not arrested.

After further consultation with the CPS, it was confirmed that those additional inquiries had not strengthened the original evidence; but police have subsequently been carrying out a further review of the case which remains ongoing."

Lord Brittan, a leading conservative politician of his day, has died of cancer aged 75.

More recently, he was back in the public eye after being accused of not investigating a child sex ring.

There have been many warm words from political friends of the Thatcher era.

But from others, questions of a different kind.

As Home Secretary back then: what did he know about claims of child sex abuse at the heart of the British establishment?

ITV News UK Editor Rohit Kachroo reports:

More: Prime Minister leads tributes to Lord Brittan

Former Home Secretary Lord Brittan returned to the public eye in July last year when questions rose over his handling of a dossier handed to him as home secretary in 1983 by Tory MP Geoffrey Dickens.

The dossier alleged an VIP ring of paedophiles was operating in the heart of the British establishment.

ITV News Correspondent Paul Davies reports:

More: Sir Peter Bottomley sure Brittan accusations will be 'proved false'

Former Home Secretary Lord Brittan has died aged 75 following a battle with cancer.

The Prime Minister led the many tributes tonight, and praised his long public service.

ITV News Political Correspondent Romily Weeks reports:

Nick Clegg hails Lord Brittan as 'one of most intelligent figures'

The Home Secretary has joined fellow senior Conservatives in sending her condolences to the family of Lord Brittan, who has died aged 75.

In a statement released by the Home Office, Theresa May said:

More: David Cameron says Lord Brittan was 'dedicated and fiercely intelligent'

Former Conservative leader Michael Howard said allegations that "dogged" Lord Brittan before his death are "completely unsubstantiated".

Howard told ITV News that the former home secretary "should be remembered as a great servant of our country".

Mr Howard said he had fond memories of his "warm, witty and amusing friend", adding that he would be "greatly missed".

Nick Clegg has paid tribute to Lord Brittan following his death aged 75, describing the former Home Secretary as "one of the most intelligent figures in modern British public life".

"Leon was one of the most intelligent figures in modern British public life," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

"When I worked for Leon in Brussels almost 20 years ago, his forensic understanding of detailed issues combined with his passionate belief in internationalism was evident to everyone.

"His courage in sticking up for his pro-European views, despite huge pressure to the contrary, never wavered.

"His intellectual curiosity about politics; the arts; history; and literature was encyclopedic. Even as illness affected him badly in recent years, he kept up his lifelong habit of reading a constant flow of books on a huge range of subjects.

"My heart goes out to Diana Brittan and Leon's family at this very sad time."

Conservative Party MP Sir Peter Bottomley has said that he is sure that any accusations surrounding Lord Brittan will be proved false.

Speaking to ITV News, he said: "Too many people have gone around smearing good people."

Sir Peter Bottomley, a fellow former Conservative minister, also said that Lord Brittan's dedication to public service had been "an inspiration".

"He showed that intelligence and commitment could be of value to the country," said Sir Peter.

Prime Minister David Cameron has called Lord Brittan a "dedicated and fiercely intelligent public servant in his tribute to the Tory peer who has died aged 75 after a long fight with cancer.

Lord Brittan was a senior member of Margaret Thatcher's Cabinet until forced to resign over the Westland Helicopters affair, and he later spent a decade in Brussels as one of the UK's European Commissioners.

More: Questions remain over Lord Brittan's handling of abuse dossier

The European Commission president has described Lord Brittan as an "inspiring leader" who helped shape the European Union.

More: 'Cloud' hung over Lord Brittan after dossier claims, says MP