Des O’Connor’s daughter reveals sexual harassment by Met Police officer after being mugged – and cop’s KEPT his job
DES O'Connor's daughter has revealed she was sexually harassed by a Met Police officer after she was mugged - and the cop has kept his job.
Kristina O'Connor, 33, says she was called "amazingly hot" by senior Detective Chief Inspector James Mason after she was attacked by several men who left her with a black eye as they tried to steal her phone, reports.
Kristina, a musician, claims that instead of focusing on investigating the incident, Mason bombarded her with emails saying he was as “determined in my pursuit of criminals as I am of beautiful women”.
He also wrote from his police email account that rejection of advances made by an officer was “frowned upon”.
James asked her out for dinner, she said, and initiated conversation toward her love life.
She has launched a legal case against the Metropolitan Police after the 2011 incident, which she reported in 2020.
She said: “By speaking out now I want to encourage more women to come forward about their negative experiences with the police.
"It’s difficult and takes courage, I know, but if enough women speak out, the Met won’t be able to dismiss them as ‘one-offs’.
“I still feel, as do many women, that I am just as likely to be harmed by the police officer that responds to my call as I am by a stranger on the street.”
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Kristina, from London, says James, who was later was appointed as a staff officer to future Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, “used his position of power and authority as a policeman to abuse me”.
She said: “The first step would be the Met acknowledging there’s a culture of misogyny.
"Even in the tiny minority of cases like mine, where the perpetrator is brought before a panel, charged and finally convicted of misconduct, my experience tells me that they are still protected, their jobs considered more important than my safety and my faith in the police."
She said "something needs to change" after witnessing the "woefully inadequate" process by which the Met are held to account.
Last year James was found guilty of gross misconduct that was sexually motivated - but still works for the Met and kept his rank.
Kristina's lawyer Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC said the investigation into Mason “belittled" her as the victim and was “blind" to the detective's alleged "sexist misogynistic nature”.
'NEED FOR REAL CHANGE'
A Met spokesman said: “We recognise there is a need for real change in the Met.
"We are committed to creating an environment that is intolerant to those who do not uphold the high values and standards expected of us.
"This work has been ongoing in recent months and will continue with the independent, far-reaching review led by Baroness Casey of Blackstock.
"The review will ask difficult questions of us to ensure there are lasting improvements to the service we provide for all Londoners.”
Victims of crime should have the "confidence and trust" the police will offer support professionally, the spokesperson said.
The Met has not yet filed a formal response to the legal claim, it was reported.
Her dad Des was best known as a chat show host and as presenter of Channel 4's 'Countdown'.
The legendary TV star died aged 88 peacefully in his sleep in 2020 after suffering a fall at his home.
'CONCERN AT HIGHEST LEVELS'
Kristina's claims come as crime reports made against officers in London or elsewhere in the country over the past decade are being gathered for the internal investigation.
It is understood some of the allegations previously faced by officers happened before they joined the Met, which requires a vetting process.
One source said: “There are 30,000 officers in the Met but for over 70 to have faced these allegations has caused concern at the highest levels.”
The review follows the murder of Sarah Everard, 33, by Met firearms officer Wayne Couzens, who had a history of exposing himself and was nicknamed The Rapist by ex-colleagues. Couzens, 48, was jailed for life in September.
Under-fire police chief Dame Cressida Dick says she considers quitting her Scotland Yard job “every few weeks”.
The Met boss admitted she regularly reviewed her performance in her £230,000 role.
Asked whether she had considered her position, Dame Cressida said: “Yes, I think every few weeks, every few months throughout my commissionership. I have sat down and reviewed with myself whether I’m the right person to carry on.”
Her comments were made during a careers talk two weeks ago to students in Westminster, The Spectator revealed.
She was forced to make an apology following the murder of Sarah, 33, who was kidnapped and killed by Met officer Wayne Couzens.
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The Met also failed the victims of serial killer Stephen Port.
An apology was also issued for sexist and racist conduct at Charing Cross nick.
