TL;DR
- Met Police apologizes to Ed Cornes’ family.
- Serious failures in death investigation acknowledged.
- Family claims evidence was lost and witnesses ignored.
- Homophobic remarks made by officers during investigation.
- Independent Office for Police Conduct continues investigation.
In a move that has left many shaking their heads, the Metropolitan Police have finally issued an apology to the family of Ed Cornes, a gay student whose tragic death has raised serious questions about the integrity of their investigation. Ed was found dead in a London hotel room back in October 2021, just two days after he started his first term at University College London. Talk about a nightmare start to university life.
Ed, only 19, was discovered with multiple injuries and high levels of GHB in his system after meeting two older men he had just met. Initially, these men were arrested on suspicion of murder but were later released without charge. Fast forward nearly five years, and after relentless campaigning by Ed’s family and a revealing investigation by ITV News, the Met has finally admitted that parts of the original investigation “were not handled correctly.” Well, that’s an understatement.
Ed’s mother, Miriam Blythe, has been vocal about her frustration, labeling the police’s apology as “too little too late.” She spent years being told by officers that there was nothing more to investigate, despite what she felt were glaring oversights. And she wasn’t wrong. An internal police review previously identified a staggering 27 failings in the case. Miriam alleged that key evidence was lost, crucial witnesses were never interviewed, and to top it all off, officers made homophobic comments to her, including a particularly crass remark that “with man-on-man sex, anything can happen.” Can you believe it?
In light of these shocking revelations, the Met has announced that specialist officers are now reviewing the case to see if further investigative directions are warranted. Meanwhile, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is also investigating complaints regarding how the Met handled Ed’s death, the original investigation, and the communication with his family. Because clearly, they need all the help they can get.
This situation highlights the urgent need for reform within police departments, especially when it comes to cases involving LGBTQ individuals. The failures in Ed’s case are not just a personal tragedy; they reflect a systemic issue that must be addressed to ensure justice for all. Ed Cornes deserves better, and so do countless others who have faced similar neglect. Let’s hope this apology marks the beginning of real change.