Scotland Yard closes investigation into historical VIP abuse claims

Our role here has been to investigate some serious allegations of crime. We've conducted a very detailed inquiry and our role really has been to assess whether or not there's enough evidence to ask the CPS to level charges.

My conclusion today is we haven't reached that threshold.

We've had a long investigation, a detailed investigation into some serious allegations of crime. It's absolutely right that we fully investigated it. Our role has been to identify whether there was sufficient evidence to ask the Crown Prosecution Service to charge anybody in this case, and our conclusion today is that isn't the case. The evidence doesn't reach that threshold.

This police operation has been at the centre of huge controversy with suspects and their families often under great pressure.

Being accused of one of the most heinous crimes on the statute book obviously casts a dark shadow over those at the centre of such claims.

It’s vital that child sexual abuse allegations are fully investigated by police with an open-minded approach. Whilst many cases are extremely complex, swift resolutions with charges being brought or the accused told they will not be prosecuted is in the interest of all parties. It has taken many years for the public to believe that child abuse is a prolific problem but with disproportionate attention given to some cases over others there is a danger the progress that has been made will be tragically undermined.

Amidst all of the inevitable blame and counter blame as this operation ends we mustn’t forget the victims of sexual abuse who will have suffered life-damaging experiences and, in many instances, are still seeking justice.

From a victim, survivor point of view I hope that there is a line drawn under that and we now allow the police to go after abusers, helping support survivors of these crimes and we don't spend too much time dwelling on something that went wrong.

Nobody, least of all victims or survivors, would want any innocent person to be pilloried let alone convicted. We do have an issue that many survivors are delicate, hurting people.

The initial investigation and initial accusations obviously carried enough credibility and weight that the police felt justified in launching an investigation. Where they made an error was to refer to somebody's testimony as 'credible and true'. That was very, very unfortunate.

I am bitterly disappointed Operation Midland has been discontinued.

The team only spoke to me once back in February when they informed me my brother's case was part of the inquiry and asked for a photograph of him. I have not heard from them since.

I sincerely hope the circumstances of my brothers disappearance continue to be investigated thoroughly but today's developments probably mean our mother who is seriously ill, will now never get the answer to the question of what happened to her son.

Investigations of non-recent allegations are extremely challenging and complex for all of those involved.

Victims of non-recent abuse should have the confidence to come forward and know that we will listen to them, take seriously their allegations and investigate without fear or favour.

I have been advised that the Metropolitan Police Service has informed my solicitors that they intend to take no further action with regard to my involvement with Operation Midland.