Following the outcome of the investigation by the IPCC into the Southwark Sapphire Unit and their decision to issue a written warning to the detective who failed to accept a victim's allegation of rape as truthful, Harriet Harman MP said:

“It is the most fundamental breach of the confidence of a vulnerable victim of a sex crime for the police officer to whom she complains to falsely claims that she consented.

"Sex crimes are the most difficult for a victim to report and the police have to support and not undermine victims.

"Officers who cover up sex crimes allow the criminal to escape justice and offend again, betray all the others across the criminal justice system who are striving to tackle sex crimes, and betray the victim of crime.

"A slap on the wrist is woefully inadequate. Such officers have no place in the force. It makes you wonder what an officer could be sacked for.

"I shall be raising this with the Home Secretary and the Metropolitan Police Commissioner. I'm sure the other Southwark MPs Tessa Jowell and Simon Hughes will take the same view as me."