The IOPC has ordered Hertfordshire Police to review whether ‘homophobic assumptions’ affected its handling of the death of 56-year-old Scott Gough, who died by suicide on 29 March 2024 after allegedly receiving a blackmail note. His partner, Cameron Tewson, says officers failed to investigate fully and were slow to respond to complaints. A BBC probe linked multiple suspected Grindr blackmail cases in the area to a possible gang. Bedfordshire Police is now conducting an independent review and may lead any new investigation.
IOPC Orders Review After Questions Raised Over 'Homophobic Assumptions' in Probe Into Gay Man's Death
Scott Gough took his own life in March 2024, a coroner ruled [BBC]
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has instructed a review into whether ‘homophobic assumptions’ influenced Hertfordshire Police's handling of the sudden death of Scott Gough, 56. Gough died by suicide at his home in Chandler's Cross, near Watford, on 29 March 2024, a day after he is reported to have received a blackmail note.
Gough's partner, Cameron Tewson, has repeatedly complained that Hertfordshire Police did not fully investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and was slow to respond to his concerns. The IOPC has ordered a re-examination of the force's original enquiries and found errors in how the case was handled.
Scott Gough was allegedly the victim of blackmail on gay dating site Grindr [Local Democracy Service]
“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,” 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.”
The night before Gough's death, a note containing a phone number was left for him with the message: ‘I think it's in your best interests to give me a call.’ Tewson says investigators failed to pursue evidence suggesting Gough may have been targeted by a group of men on the dating app Grindr.
Investigations and Findings
A BBC investigation identified multiple suspected blackmail incidents involving victims targeted on Grindr in and around Gough's area, linking at least four cases to a single organised group. The IOPC concluded that Hertfordshire Police made mistakes and "did not fully investigate" the circumstances of Gough's death and that the force's delays in responding to Tewson compounded his distress.
Scott Gough was sent notes before his death [Handout]
Following the IOPC findings, responsibility for the investigation has been transferred to Bedfordshire Police. Hertfordshire Police said it is "committed to supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community" and that a joint Professional Standards reinvestigation with Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire found a blackmail inquiry should have been considered.
Bedfordshire Police is conducting an independent review of the original enquiries and will take over any new investigation if necessary. Hertfordshire Police also said senior oversight of all concerns raised by Tewson remains in place and reiterated its condolences to the family.
Context and Community Concerns
The case has renewed calls for policing procedures to better recognise and investigate crimes that disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ people, including online sexual exploitation and blackmail. Campaigners and community members say prompt, sensitive responses by police are essential to both delivering justice and preventing further harm.
Photographs and documents released in the course of inquiries show notes were sent to Gough prior to his death; the independent review will examine whether relevant leads were missed and whether assumptions about the victim's sexuality influenced investigative decisions.
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