'Shocking treatment of David Carrick rape victim raises difficult questions for Met Police'

'Shocking treatment of David Carrick rape victim raises difficult questions for Met Police' "The testimony of Det Con Linda Williams raises troubling questions about the treatment of victims by the Metropolitan Police, and whether survivors can have confidence in the system" Add to preferred sources News opinion Voice of the Mirror 17:09, 23 Oct 2026 View Image Voice of the Mirror has its say... Det Con Linda Williams showed immense courage in speaking out about Scotland Yard's handling of her rape in 2004 by fellow officer David Carrick, a serial predator jailed in 2023 for attacks against her and 11 other women.

Linda said she didn't report her rape for years due to the "very sexist" culture at the Metropolitan Police, despite serving as a rape investigation officer in the early 2000s. She said she wouldn't report the rape if it happened tomorrow as she didn't trust it would be handled properly. Her testimony raises troubling questions about the treatment of victims, and whether survivors can have confidence in the system. The Met has been battling to overhaul its culture after a string of shocking cases, including the murder of Sarah Everard by serving police officer Wayne Couzens, and the sharing of photographs of murdered sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman by officers.

A damning report in 2023 found the Met was institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic. Sir Mark Rowley, who took over in 2022, pledged to overhaul the troubled force. He must act urgently to stamp out the rot and ensure victims are always at the forefront of officers' minds. No space for this rhetoric Another day, another unsavoury headline for Reform. Solihull councillor Phil Tierney was pictured in Reform's fake newspaper, mailed to millions of households, months after the party said it was investigating him for claiming all mosques should be shut down.

He also described himself as "Islamophobic". There is no space on politics for this kind of rhetoric. But no response has come from Nigel Farage's party so far on the state of this probe. Reform has been dogged by criticism that it tolerates toxic views within its ranks. Despite pledges to improve candidate vetting by Mr Farage, shocking cases keep appearing. A recent undercover investigation by ITV Exposure found councillors and party candidates expressing racist views and using offensive language.

Other cases have come to light through public social media posts. Scandal-hit Reform clearly needs to get its house in order if it truly has ambitions beyond being anything more than a divisive fringe party. Article continues below A dose of optimism Graham Norton's famous red sofa has played host to Hollywood royalty but last night's surprise appearance from the future King was a first. Prince William chatted about Celebrity Traitors, and his dreams of being a DJ as he joined stars Cate Blanchett, Robert Irwin and Hannah Waddingham to promote his Earthshot prize.

Amid a drumbeat of gloom about the climate crisis, William's message of optimism is welcome.