One of Britain’s most senior policewomen is under fire after Scotland Yard admitted that the anti-corruption unit she previously led attempted to discredit a woman who had been groomed by a predatory officer in the same squad as killer cop Wayne Couzens.
Chief Constable Catherine Roper’s former professional standards department engaged in a campaign of “victim-blaming” against the first woman who raised concerns about PC Philip Hunter. The unit even accused her of suffering from mental health issues and referred her case to the Met’s Stalking Threat Assessment Centre.
In a remarkably candid letter, Acting Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Smithson acknowledged the failings, apologising to the woman—known only as “Lorraine”—who has spent seven years fighting for justice.
A shocking betrayal of trust
Solicitors representing Lorraine have now called on the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to launch a full investigation into Roper’s handling of the case, arguing that her actions contributed to their client’s prolonged trauma.
Roper, now Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, recently met the Queen to discuss her force’s efforts to tackle domestic abuse and violence against women. However, it has now emerged that while heading the Metropolitan Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS), she directed staff to compile a report repeating false allegations that Lorraine was suffering from mental illness.
A senior officer then shared this misinformation with social services and even attempted to contact her GP without her consent. Smithson’s letter, dated 20 March, acknowledged that Lorraine’s initial allegations against Hunter were ignored for 18 months and that the DPS failed to take them seriously, despite knowing of another victim.
He further admitted that a third party working with the Met’s stalking unit shared defamatory and false information about Lorraine, which officers knew to be incorrect.
PC Philip hunter: A serial predator
As the Evening Standard first revealed in 2021, Hunter, a married officer, exploited a vulnerable woman who was suicidal after her brother’s death. He had sex with her after being sent to her home for a welfare visit in August 2017.
He later retired and worked as a London black cab driver while facing an initial misconduct hearing in 2020, which was held in secret. However, in August last year, he became the first officer to be found guilty of gross misconduct for a second time after Lorraine and another victim—known as “X”—helped expose his pattern of sexual predation.
Legal challenge and public outrage
Joanna Khan, Lorraine’s solicitor at Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, condemned the Met’s handling of the case.
“Our client reached out for help, but instead of being supported, she was first preyed upon by former PC Hunter, then failed for years by the Met officers who should have protected her and held him accountable,” she said.
Khan also highlighted how officers had misled Lorraine, repeatedly fed her false information, and attempted to discredit her by falsely claiming she had mental health issues.
“She now looks to the Met to oversee genuine cultural change so that women and girls are listened to and their legitimate concerns properly acted upon,” she added.
Calls for accountability
Lorraine has demanded a full investigation into Roper’s conduct, questioning why the former head of professional standards has faced no disciplinary action and has instead risen through the ranks to become one of the most senior officers in the country.
“She was the first senior officer I spoke to about Hunter,” Lorraine said. “Yet despite all of this, she has faced no consequences. Instead, she’s been promoted and is now leading Wiltshire Police while talking about protecting women and girls.”
Roper previously led the Met’s “Partygate” investigation into Downing Street’s Covid rule breaches. Recently, she acknowledged the decline in public trust in policing, saying: “Without trust and confidence, people won’t pick up the phone when they’re in trouble.”
Met police issues apology
In his letter, Smithson apologised for the impact the case had on Lorraine’s physical and mental health.
“I acknowledge with great sorrow that you have had to endure this impact on your life,” he wrote.
“The Commissioner has been clear that he wants timeliness in the misconduct system improved, and we are committed to ensuring cases are concluded as swiftly and efficiently as possible.”
Hunter’s ties to Wayne Couzens’ squad
Hunter was once attached to the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command—the same unit as Sarah Everard’s murderer, Wayne Couzens.
Lorraine also gave evidence to Baroness Louise Casey’s damning review of the Met, which found the force to be institutionally racist, misogynistic, and homophobic.
“The public would never expect a unit that is supposed to uphold professional standards to act in such a cruel way,” Lorraine said.
“I didn’t have mental health issues when they said I did—but I do now. I live in fear every day because I no longer believe that if I call the police for help, they will be there for me.”
IOPC weighs in
A spokesperson for the IOPC confirmed that Lorraine had been advised to lodge a complaint about Roper either directly with Wiltshire’s Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner or through the IOPC.
They added: “We understand the woman made a complaint in August 2024 raising several allegations about the Chief Constable, which was handled by Wiltshire’s OPCC.
“The complainant was given a right of review to the IOPC, but we have not received any request.
“We previously conducted a review of the Met’s handling of Lorraine’s complaint, including the role of a senior officer. We found the Met’s apology was a reasonable and proportionate outcome.”
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Ongoing police reforms
As part of the Met’s ongoing efforts to tackle police misconduct, 137 officers and staff were arrested for sexual or domestic abuse offences in 2024, compared to 89 in 2022.
Despite these measures, campaigners say the force has a long way to go in rebuilding public trust.
Wiltshire police responds
Wiltshire Police declined to comment directly on the allegations against their Chief Constable.
A spokesperson said: “This is a Metropolitan Police case, and it would not be appropriate for Chief Constable Catherine Roper to comment.”
The Wiltshire and Swindon Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner added that as far as they were aware, Roper had been cleared of any misconduct.
However, Lorraine and her legal team remain determined to seek accountability.
“I just want justice,” Lorraine said. “I want them to finally acknowledge the damage they did to me—and to make sure this never happens to another woman again.”
