Claims special branch police in the UK sought to cover up the involvement of an MP in child sex offences in the 1970s are to be investigated.
The accusation is one of 12 new cases of alleged historical corruption in the Metropolitan Police relating to the investigation of child abuse in Britain dating from the 1970s and 2000s, according to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The majority of the investigations stem from allegations made by retired Met officers.
Another corruption allegation involves Essex Police and also relates to child sex offices.
Of the 13 claims, eight relate to investigations into the involvement of MPs in child abuse.
Scotland Yard are looking into the new claims, along with the 17 cases announced earlier this year.
These all related to suppressing evidence, hindering or halting investigations and covering up offences because of the involvement of MPs and police officers.
IPCC Commissioner Jennifer Izekor said: "We are continuing to receive further referrals from the Met and have now assessed that a further 12 require management by the IPCC in addition to one from Essex Police.
"Our investigators will now oversee these investigations and ensure they meet our robust standards."
The corruption inquiries will be managed and overseen by the IPCC and are to be conducted by the Metropolitan Police's Directorate of Professional Standards.
Special Branch features in three of the latest claims.
One centred on allegations about an attempt in the 1970s to interfere in an investigation that would have revealed an MP to be involved in child sex offences.
Special Branch officers are also said to have taken over an investigation into child sex offences committed by an MP which was then shelved.
Another claim that the security unit covered up evidence relating to an allegation that a serving Met Police officer was involved in a paedophile ring in north London is being assessed.
The Metropolitan Police allegations are:
- That a prosecution against a government official who was in possession of indecent images of children was not pursued following instruction from senior officers and lawyers.
- That an investigation into a paedophile ring in southwest London in the 1970s was shut down prematurely on instruction of senior or high-ranking officers.
- That evidence, relating to child abuse at a youth club in the 1980s and 1990s that involved politicians and council officers, went missing from a London police station.
- That an MP was only charged with specimen charges for child sex offences and not more numerous or serious offences.
- That paperwork and evidence relating to child sex offences involving an MP disappeared and the MP was released without charge
- Failure to investigate child sex offences involving an MP due to instructions from senior or high-ranking officers.
- Attempts by Special Branch in the 1970s to interfere in an investigation that would have revealed an MP to be involved in child sex offences.
- An investigation into a west London paedophile ring in the 1980s had evidence removed and was threatened with closure by senior officers if it uncovered evidence against VIPs.
- That an MP was arrested and then released without charge on the instruction of senior officers following an investigation into a south London paedophile ring in the 1980s. It is also alleged officers were threatened with breaking the Official Secrets Act if they spoke of the events.
- That an investigation into child sex abuse in central London in the 1980s was halted when it became apparent that an MP was involved.
- That an investigation into child sex offences committed by an MP was taken over by officers from Special Branch and then not progressed.
- That an officer serving with the Metropolitan Police was involved in a paedophile ring in north London and that evidence was covered up by Special Branch.
The Essex Police allegation is:
- That intelligence was provided by a witness, during a separate investigation, indicating an MP was involved in child sex abuse and that this was not investigated.
