The Metropolitan Police has pledged to investigate historical crimes by establishment figures "without fear of favour".

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Steve Rodhouse told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he was pleased that allegations of cover-ups were coming to light.

"We do think we are getting somewhere with these wider enquiries and we are seeing people coming forward. We have seen lots of coverage this week around allegations of cover-ups, and I think it's helpful that this is being spoken about and people are coming forward.

"We will go where the evidence takes us, without fear or favour, I think that is what the public expect and that is what the investigators are doing and are keen to continue to do."

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating 14 related allegations of impropriety by officer stretching from the 1970s to 2005.

The Home Secretary Theresa May said earlier month that child sexual abuse ran through British society like a "stick of Blackpool rock" and warned that the public did not fully "appreciate the true scale" of exploitation.