Daniel Morgan Independent Panel

The Daniel Morgan Independent Panel, chaired by Baroness Nuala O'Loan, was established in 2013 to examine the circumstances of Daniel Morgan's murder in 1987 and the subsequent police investigations. The Panel's report, published in June 2021, made 23 recommendations addressing police corruption, information management, and institutional reform.

The government response of June 2023 accepted 19 recommendations (83%), rejected two (9%), and accepted two in principle (9%). The response indicates that several reforms had already been implemented by that date. The Metropolitan Police reported completing additional forensic analysis and communicating results to Daniel Morgan's family. New conflict of interest policies and investigation structures were introduced, with the National Major Crime Investigation Manual published in November 2021. The force conducted reviews of HOLMES resourcing and professional standards capacity, receiving additional funding of £102.3m in 2023/24.

Significant legislative and procedural changes are documented. The statutory duty of cooperation for police officers was introduced in February 2020, making failure to cooperate a breach of professional standards. Police databases were migrated to cloud systems in 2020. The Crown Prosecution Service updated its guidance in February 2022.

However, several recommendations show limited evidence of progress. The government's response indicates that a duty of candour for public services will be addressed through the Hillsborough families response, with no timeline specified. The revised Code of Practice on Police Information and Records Management had not been laid before Parliament at the time of the government response. The College of Policing's revised Code of Ethics remained unpublished.

The government rejected recommendations for custodial sentences for data protection breaches and licensing of private investigators, citing existing legislation and industry self-regulation as sufficient. On Freemasonry disclosure, while accepted in principle, the response indicates only ongoing assessment rather than legislative action.

Recent evidence from January 2025 indicates HMICFRS returned the Metropolitan Police to default monitoring after closing causes of concern linked to Panel recommendations, with the force reporting completion of anti-corruption reforms, recruitment of 200+ professional standards officers, and doubled vetting refusal rates.