Watchdog investigating how police handled Andrew Tate sexual abuse claims

The police watchdog is investigating a force’s handling of sexual abuse allegations against the social media influencer and self-described misogynist Andrew Tate.The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it was investigating Hertfordshire constabulary’s response to reports made by three women after their case was closed in 2019 following a four-year investigation.A former detective constable could face gross misconduct proceedings for “alleged failures to properly investigate” the case, the IOPC said.The watchdog added that two former detective sergeants, who supervised the investigation, are being investigated for alleged misconduct.In a joint statement issued through their legal team, the three women who made the reports to the force said: “We are grateful that the IOPC has taken steps to investigate potential issues with how our reports were handled.“From the beginning, all we have wanted is for our cases and the evidence to be fully and fairly considered by those with the power to do so.”Tate’s three alleged victims have since taken their claims to the high court alongside a fourth woman, all alleging the former professional kickboxer used sexual violence against them.Court documents show the controversial influencer is accused of holding a gun to a woman’s face before saying “you’re going to do as I say or there’ll be hell to pay”.One of the claimants also alleges Tate assaulted her with a belt and grabbed her by the throat on a number of occasions in 2015.The documents show other alleged victims claim he strangled them during sex while saying things such as “I’m just debating whether to rape you or not” and “who do you belong to?”.Tate’s lawyers previously denied the claims made against him, saying the allegations were false and that they “were not controlled and did not behave as though they were controlled” by him.A spokesperson for the influencer also said at the time that the allegations outlined in the documents were “unproven and untested” and “categorically” denied.Andrew Ford of Holborn Adams, who represents Tate, said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had “decided in 2019 and again in 2025 to take no further action in relation to this case as there was insufficient evidence to charge”.“There are no specifics given regarding the issue taken with the officer who had conduct of the case,” he said. “It is worth noting that no concerns were raised until six years after the investigation. We note that a statement has been issued by the alleged victims which cites the crowdfunding link for their civil claim for compensation.”The civil trial is scheduled to take place in June.McCue Jury & Partners, the legal team of the three women who reported alleged abuse to police, said the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision not to authorise charges in the case was the subject of a victim’s right to review.