Lord Brittan's widow accepts apology from Scotland Yard chief over Met's handling of historical rape accusation

The Met had come under fire over its handling of the claim that Lord Brittan raped a 19-year-old woman in 1967

Lord and Lady Brittan, pictured in 2013 (PA)

The widow of Lord Brittan has accepted a “full apology” from the Scotland Yard chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe over the Metropolitan Police’s handling of a historical rape allegation against her husband.

The Met had come under fire over its handling of the claim that Lord Brittan raped a 19-year-old woman known as “Jane” in 1967. He died in January last year without being told he would not face any action over the claim.

Police apologised to Lady Brittan in October, saying she should have been informed earlier that there would not have been a prosecution had her husband been alive.

But Sir Bernard told BBC Radio London yesterday that he had now had a “private conversation” with Lady Brittan. He said he apologised “for not telling her at an early stage about the fact that Lord Brittan, who by that stage unfortunately had died, was not to be prosecuted in the future. There was no chance of successful prosecution.”

The family of the late politician said yesterday: “At the start of the meeting Sir Bernard offered Lady Brittan a full apology on behalf of the force, which she accepted. Lady Brittan went on to ask and table some 30 questions regarding the two police enquiries as they related to Lord Brittan. Sir Bernard promised to answer them in writing.”

Lord Brittan has also been named in connection with the controversial Operation Midland, a separate inquiry into allegations of a VIP paedophile gang. A furore erupted over Operation Midland after D-Day veteran Lord Bramall was cleared of historical abuse allegations. His home had been raided and he was interviewed under caution before he was told in January he would face no further action.

Sir Bernard said Operation Midland “has not yet been concluded”. He added: “As soon as it is, obviously we will announce whatever the outcome is... One of the difficulties being that new witnesses come forward during the investigation.”