Police watchdog orders review of potential bias in investigation into gay man's death
Hertfordshire Constabulary to re-examine role of 'homophobic assumptions'
The police watchdog has ordered Hertfordshire Constabulary to review whether “homophobic assumptions” played a role in its investigation into the sudden death of a gay man.
Scott Gough, 56, took his own life at his home in Chandler’s Cross, near Watford, on March 29, 2024, after allegedly being the victim of blackmail on gay dating app Grindr.
Mr Gough died one day after a group of men turned up at his home demanding his car keys, leaving behind a note to call a phone number. The number was later linked to several other alleged instances of blackmail on Grindr.
His body was found by his partner, Cameron Tewson, 32, who claims Herts police officers failed to explore evidence of the alleged blackmail and treated his partner’s death “as a statistic”.
A previous ruling by watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found Hertfordshire Constabulary made errors and “did not fully investigate” Mr Gough’s death, as well as adding to his partner’s distress by failing to respond to his complaints in a timely manner.
Now, the IOPC has ordered Hertfordshire Constabulary to re-examine two elements of Mr Tewson’s complaint previously rejected by the force. One, that Mr Gough’s death was not fully investigated, and two, that “homophobic assumptions” played a part in the investigation.
Speaking about the latest development, Mr Tewson said: “It’s always one step forward and two steps back. In many ways, I feel I’ve never had a chance to grieve.
“From the beginning, it’s been a case of banging my head against a wall, making phone calls and sending emails to try and get officers to take this seriously.”
Following an IOPC ruling in February, neighbouring force Bedfordshire Police assumed responsibility for the investigation into Mr Gough’s death, and Mr Tewson says he is being kept in the loop about their progress.
“I feel reassured by Beds Police,” said Mr Tewson. “I’m being kept informed of developments, and it’s a different experience altogether.”
Mr Tewson has also submitted paperwork to the High Court for a Judicial Review to quash the original inquest and allow a second hearing to be held based upon new evidence.
Mr Tewson was alone at Scott’s home on the evening of March 28, 2024, when a group of six men knocked at the door wishing to speak to the owner of the white Range Rover parked on the driveway.
He refused to answer the door, and the group left a note with a phone number.
From the outset, Mr Tewson said he suspected the blackmail was linked to gay dating app Grindr, which his partner had used in the past.
The next day, he returned to Scott’s home to find he had written his last will and testament by hand, before discovering his body in his bedroom. After calling emergency services and spending hours giving evidence at Watford Police Station, Mr Tewson waited to be updated.
“The next day came, and nothing much happened. I was accessing passwords and being as helpful to the police as I could,” said Mr Tewson.
“I went to Scott’s house, and the rubbish was still on the driveway.
“I put on rubber gloves and got the bag down to the station, and I said, ‘Look, I don’t think you’re doing enough. You’ve not taken this’.
“They’d also not taken things like his laptop, his iPad, and the officers were saying, ‘Why do we need that stuff?’
“From the beginning, Scott became a statistic…That kind of set the tone of what they were looking at.”
Mr Tewson alleges that an officer made dismissive and insensitive comments, and that his concerns about bias and homophobia were “marginalised”.
The IOPC confirmed that within days of Scott’s death, the same phone number from the note left on his driveway was linked to similar alleged blackmail cases involving Grindr.
Although a group of individuals was later identified, the IOPC said there was no evidence their behaviour was “robustly investigated”, adding that the rationale of Herts Constabulary’s investigation was “unclear”.
Hertfordshire Constabulary has stated it wished to “reiterate its sincere condolences and sympathy” to Mr Tewson about the death of Mr Gough.
The force added: “The reinvestigation finalised by Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire Professional Standards Department (PSD) into Mr Tewson’s complaint found that a blackmail investigation should have been considered and the constabulary has sought an independent review of the original investigation.
“This is currently being undertaken by Bedfordshire Police, and they will also take on the new investigation if this is deemed necessary. The progress of all concerns raised as part of Mr Tewson’s complaints is subject to ongoing and senior oversight.
“Hertfordshire Constabulary is committed to supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community.
“The force has dedicated LGBTQ+ Liaison Officers. Their role is vital in providing tailored support to victims from the LGBTQ+ community.
“We remain dedicated to delivering learning to ensure that officers understand specific issues faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community.”