[2025] EWHC 2684 (KB)

And

“The review team has seen evidence that the investigation followed a structured format although evidence of a documented audit trail for the SIO decision making and rationale to support any policy acted upon is sparse...SIOs should use the policy file to record critical policy decisions. It is the definitive record from which they will rely when subsequently asked to account for decisions at a later date for court or other proceedings.”

And

“The review team has discovered and highlighted on numerous occasions that the SIO for operation Meridian had failed to document policy decisions and associated rationales, this is against NPIA and force guidance and as such should be seen as bad practice. This lack of documented policy can lead to confusion and mission creep which in turn can detract an investigation team from its objectives. The review team note that there is no evidence to suggest that this is the case with operation Meridian.”

And

“The review highlights the fact that the SIO did not document his oversight of the investigation in any great depth; this does not mean that adequate leadership did not exist but it has made it very difficult to review or comment upon. The review team is of the view that although this inquiry had an SIO assigned to it in the shape of DI Cunningham; the reality is that the day-to-day running of the inquiry was passed to the designated investigating officer (DIO) DS Brownsell. DS Brownsell had general oversight of the inquiry on the majority of aspects but received support and guidance from DI Cunningham when he required or requested it.”