Former Police Federation chairman John Apter won’t be prosecuted over sexual assault allegations

The former head of the Police Federation won’t be prosecuted over allegations of sexual assault, Sky News has learnt.

John Apter, who was chairman of the organisation that represents more than 130,000 officers, faced a criminal investigation over two claims of sexual misconduct made against him.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) now says Mr Apter will not be charged over the allegations – but the police watchdog has confirmed he will face a misconduct hearing over potential breaches of “professional standards of behaviour”.

Mr Apter was suspended by the Police Federation and by Hampshire Constabulary in December 2021. He announced his retirement from the force in April last year.

A CPS spokeswoman told Sky News: “We have carefully reviewed evidence relating to two allegations of sexual assault following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

“The case failed to meet our legal test for a prosecution.

“The complainants have received a full explanation in writing and have been informed of the victims’ right to review.”

Mr Apter was a high-profile police figure and was described as a “friend” by Priti Patel when she was home secretary.

The allegations against him related to four alleged breaches of professional standards in 2021, the latest of which was reported to be at a bravery awards ceremony.

A criminal investigation was carried out into claims of sexual touching on two of those occasions.

‘Indication of gross misconduct’

Following the CPS’s decision not to prosecute Mr Apter, the IOPC said it was liaising with Hampshire Constabulary as the force “arranges a misconduct hearing”.

The police watchdog said it had “found an indication of gross misconduct for potential breaches of the police professional standards of behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy; equality and diversity; and conduct”.

An IOPC spokesperson told Sky News: “We completed our investigation in June 2022 into allegations relating to the conduct of a, now retired, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary police officer.

“We referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider two counts of sexual assault contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

“We were notified this week that the CPS, having reviewed the evidence, has decided it did not meet the threshold for prosecution.

“We have notified the parties involved.”

Hampshire Constabulary declined to comment. Sky News has approached the Police Federation for a response.

Mr Apter – who had been an officer since 1992 – was elected chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales in July 2018.

He had spoken out against the use of sexist nicknames as part of a canteen culture in the police after the murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens.

Mr Apter wrote in the Sunday Times in October 2021: “We need to consign to the history books some of our canteen culture where sexist nicknames and derogatory remarks are made. When banter crosses the line to become sexist, derogatory or homophobic, that’s when it ceases to be banter.”