Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Leon Brittan rape inquiry: Tom Watson should apologise, says former home secretary's brother

Sir Samuel Brittan accused the Labour MP of making 'unfounded accusations' about his brother

Agencies
Friday 09 October 2015 11:41 BST
Lord Brittan's family were not told the peer had been cleared before his death in January 2015
Lord Brittan's family were not told the peer had been cleared before his death in January 2015 (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Leon Brittan's brother has said the Labour deputy leader Tom Watson should apologise after police dropped a rape inquiry against the former home secretary.

Sir Samuel Brittan accused the MP of making "unfounded accusations" which had prompted police to reopen the case against Lord Brittan.

It comes after The Times reported that Scotland Yard Deputy Assistant Commissioner Steve Rodhouse had written to Lord Brittan's widow to apologise for failing to tell the family the peer had been cleared before his death.

Tory MP Nigel Evans, who was cleared last year of a series of sexual abuse charges in a high-profile court case, added to the calls.

The former Commons deputy speaker said Mr Watson had "set himself up as judge and jury".

"It is really difficult to over-estimate the trauma that that family will have been pushed through," Mr Evans told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

"Even when Leon had died, Tom Watson decided to repeat the allegations. It is totally unfounded.

Tom Watson has been a driving force behind the investigation into the so-called 'VIP paedophile ring'
Tom Watson has been a driving force behind the investigation into the so-called 'VIP paedophile ring' (PA)

"As vocal as he was at that time, it is amazing that we have heard nothing from him since the revelation that the allegations were not going to be proceeded with."

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in