WIREDGOV

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is undertaking a criminal investigation into the conduct of three immigration enforcement officers during an operation and subsequent trial into alleged sham marriages.

At a trial at Inner London Crown Court on 22 October this year a judge dismissed the charges against all seven defendants on the grounds that the prosecution had failed to disclose material to the defence and that three officers had acted in ‘bad faith’.  The judge said he was satisfied that officers at the heart of this prosecution had deliberately concealed important evidence and lied on oath.

The Home Office referred the matter to the IPCC and an investigation is under way. The IPCC will be examining the actions of officers during the course of the operation, which began in 2011,  and during the trial, including their handling of exhibits and documentation, the disclosure of investigative material and evidence given at Inner London Crown Court.

Investigators are going through over 100 boxes of material, gathering correspondence, trial bundles and transcripts, and considering relevant Home Office policies.

IPCC Commissioner Jennifer Izekor said: "We will be conducting a thorough, independent investigation into the serious matters the collapse of this trial has raised. We are assessing a substantial amount of material as part of our initial enquiries.”