Lord Brittan’s widow hits out at Metropolitan Police ‘cover-up culture’ and ‘despicable’ Tom Watson

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The widow of former home secretary Leon Brittan has attacked a “culture of cover-up” at Scotland Yard and called for top officers to be held accountable. Lady Brittan accused the Met of lacking a “moral spine,” saying: “Not a single person in this case has resigned, lost their job, been fired, demoted or disciplined. If, in a case like this, accountability does not involve firings or resignations at the point of responsibility, what then is accountability?” Lady Brittan, who was a long-serving magistrate, also said Tom Watson, the former Labour deputy leader, did “the most despicable thing ahuman being could do” by joining the accusers. “Although apologies have been offered, this is not quite the same as trying to change the corporate culture, of openness and transparency.” On the insistence of the Commons home affairs committee, Mr Watson eventually sent a 120-word note of apology to Lady Brittan.