Met Police set to probe itself over ‘Putney Pusher’ suspect’s death

The Metropolitan Police is set to investigate its own handling of the arrest of a man now deceased, who was suspected of pushing a woman in front of a bus on Putney Bridge in 2017. The decision to refer the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) was made following the death of Nicholas Brandram, a multi-millionaire banker.

Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles confirmed that a mandatory referral was made to the IOPC on 16 September. The IOPC has now decided that an investigation is required, to be conducted by the Met's directorate of professional standards. The investigation will consider various factors, including the necessity and proportionality of the arrest, media engagement, and the welfare of Mr Brandram.

The Met has acknowledged this and stated that the case will now be investigated by their directorate of professional standards. Brandram's sisters have accused the Met of being "negligent and reckless" in their handling of the case. Nicholas Brandram was held on suspicion of grievous bodily harm in June 2023, nine years after a similar incident where a jogger pushed a woman onto Putney Bridge traffic in May 2017.

CCTV footage showed the woman suffering minor injuries when the bus driver managed to swerve out of the way. The initial investigation led to the arrest of three men in 2018, but no one was charged.