Police have reopened an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse against Andrew Tate.
Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed it will reinvestigate alleged rape and sexual assault offences reported to the force between 2014 and 2015.
It comes a day after the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was investigating how the force dealt with the allegations after the case was closed in 2019, following a four-year probe.
It said it was investigating a former detective constable, who could face gross misconduct proceedings for “alleged failures to properly investigate”, and two former detective sergeants who supervised the investigation.
Then on Thursday the force confirmed the allegations were being re-examined.
A spokesman said: “We are committed to doing what is right and ensuring that allegations of such a serious nature are properly, thoroughly and fully investigated, no matter how long ago they occurred.”
The reports were made by three women who allege the professional kickboxer used sexual violence against them.
In September last year, the CPS re-examined the claims and said the legal test to bring criminal charges had not been met.
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Previously, Tate’s lawyers vehemently denied the claims made against him, saying the allegations are “false” and that the alleged victims “were not controlled and did not behave as though they were controlled” by him.
In a statement to Sky News after police confirmed the re-opening of the investigation, his representatives highlighted that the CPS twice determined there was not enough evidence to bring charges.
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Andrew Ford, of law firm Holborn Adams, said: “The decision to revisit the same allegations again, in the absence of any new and credible evidence, raises serious and legitimate concerns about the integrity of the process.
“It creates the unavoidable perception that Mr Tate is being subjected to repeated investigation not on the basis of law or evidence, but because of who he is.
“Mr Tate categorically denies all allegations. He will continue to engage with any lawful process.”
