Police authorities in the United Kingdom have decided to reopen an inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse involving social media influencer Andrew Tate. Hertfordshire Constabulary is revisiting reports of rape and sexual assault made by three women in the years 2014 and 2015. The case was initially closed in 2019 after a lengthy investigation period.
This move follows the announcement from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) that a former detective constable may face disciplinary action for purportedly mishandling the investigation. Additionally, two former detective sergeants who oversaw the case are under scrutiny for alleged misconduct.
In response to these developments, Hertfordshire Constabulary stated their commitment to thoroughly investigating serious allegations regardless of when they occurred. The three women who originally reported the incidents expressed appreciation for the IOPC’s intervention in reviewing the handling of their cases, emphasizing their desire for a fair and thorough assessment.
The individuals accusing Tate of sexual violence, along with a fourth woman, have escalated their claims to the High Court. Allegations include instances where Tate allegedly brandished a firearm at a woman, threatening her compliance. Furthermore, one claimant accuses Tate of using physical force, such as assault with a belt and choking in 2015. Other purported victims recount incidents where Tate allegedly strangled them during intimate encounters, uttering menacing statements.
Tate’s legal representatives have vehemently refuted the accusations, asserting their falsehood and claiming that the alleged victims were not under Tate’s control. The influencer’s spokesperson has reiterated that the claims remain unproven and denied by Tate.
The civil trial is scheduled for June, with the legal team representing the three women pursuing a review of the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision not to press charges. Tate is concurrently facing legal proceedings in Romania alongside his brother, Tristan Tate, both denying any wrongdoing. Pending completion of the Romanian proceedings, the brothers are set to be extradited to the UK based on a European arrest warrant obtained by Bedfordshire Police for separate allegations involving rape and human trafficking from 2012 to 2015.