The police officer in charge of emergency services on the night of the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 could face criminal charges after a review of the original investigation was carried out at the request of the victims’ families.
A file of evidence concerning Ch Insp Dale Sexton’s comments will be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the police watchdog has confirmed.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) made the announcement on Wednesday after Sexton was previously cleared of breaching standards of professional behaviour or committing a criminal offence after an investigation in March.
But after a complaint on behalf of families of the victims of the terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert, as well as a separate conduct referral from Greater Manchester police, the case will be reviewed.
Sexton was the force duty officer and in charge of emergency services on the night of the attack that killed 22 people and injured hundreds more. He first claimed he was too busy to ring emergency services during an internal inquiry by the police force.
The officer later said he decided not to inform emergency service responders of Operation Plato, a predetermined response to a marauding armed terrorist.
The plan required him to share the declaration with other emergency services but he failed to do so. Sexton did not reveal this information in any previous review or interview.
The IOPC has now upheld a victims’ right to review, which was requested by the families of the victims.
A second decision-maker, unconnected to the original investigation, has reviewed the evidence gathered during the investigation and decided an offence may have been committed.
The IOPC’s director of operations, Amanda Rowe, said: “This was a complex investigation, carried out independently of police, and investigators obtained a significant amount of information, which was considered as part of our decision-making.
“In cases like this, and in line with other organisations, victims and complainants have a right to have their case reviewed by someone unconnected to the original investigation.
“In this instance, we determined the matter requires further exploration and will be submitted to the CPS to consider in due course.
“A referral to the CPS does not necessarily mean that criminal charges will be authorised. It will now be for prosecutors to determine whether charges should follow and, if so, what those charges may be.”
