A REVIEW HAS found that “institutional misogyny” contributed to “clear warnings signs” being missed in the initial PSNI investigation following the death of showjumper Katie Simpson.

The independent review led by Dr Jan Melia, commissioned by the Department of Justice, found that “not one officer thought seriously about abuse/control” in the initial police investigation in 2020.

It cited “systematic failures” and also criticised other bodies, including social services and the health service over safeguarding, as well as within the equestrian sector.

It has made 16 recommendations, with many focused on training.

The 21-year-old from Tynan, Co Armagh, died in Altnagelvin Area Hospital almost a week after an incident in Gortnessy Meadows, Lettershandoney.

Police originally thought she had taken her own life.

It was not until the following year that Jonathan Creswell, the partner of Simpson’s sister, was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The trial of Creswell (36) for the murder of Simpson ended in April 2024 after he took his own life following the first day of proceedings.

Before his death, it was contended by the prosecution that Creswell had attacked Simpson, in an act of “jealous rage” and then staged a scene to make it appear she had attempted to take her own life.

The report found that 37 people, both female and male, have come forward to say they were abused by Creswell.

It found officers failed to identify inconsistencies in Creswell’s account, neglected to preserve vital evidence, overlooked forensic scenes and opportunities, dismissed key witness statements and failed to secure/examine crucial digital communications such as text messages and phone records that might have revealed patterns of abuse.

It went on to find that police officers demonstrated a striking lack of professional curiosity, failed to employ an investigative mindset or consider the possibility of abuse/control, in spite of clear warning signs.

In a foreword to the review’s report, Simpson’s mother Noeleen Mullan said it had been “hard to read”, noting “so many things were missed, not done properly” and it felt like there was a “lack of care for Katie from the police”.

Making an oral statement in the Assembly, justice minister Naomi Long said a “debit of gratitude” was owed to all who raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the death of Simpson.

She said the independent review “makes for uncomfortable reading” and announced that Dr Melia will coordinate and chair an implementation group for the 16 recommendations.

“My department and our partners will act on the recommendations contained in Dr Melia’s report and ensure lessons are not simply learned but embedded,” she told MLAs.

Three women who pleaded guilty to withholding information and other offences in connection with Simpson’s death were given suspended sentences in June 2024.

The Katie Trust, set up in Simpson’s memory, welcomed the review as representing a “significant and necessary step toward transparency and accountability”.

Family statement

Solicitor Kevin Winters said that Katie Simpson’s family have taken “heart and encouragement” from the findings of the report.

“It was a very, very, very difficult day and it was described as such by the members in the chamber as a difficult day,” Winters said.

“But speaking with the family in the immediate aftermath, they’ve taken an awful lot of heart and encouragement to hear that there’s so much positivity about what is being done and what can be done, and to hear so many probing questions, questions that raise real issues about what happened here in relation to Katie Simpson.”

The lawyer said engaging with the independent report had not been easy for the family.

“It took a lot of commitment, it took a lot of patience and time, it took a lot of confidence to engage in it,” he added.

“Because it’s understandable that many of the family feel this real sense of frustration that issues which they thought were going to be buried for years have actually got a chance that they can be dealt with.”

He said that Katie Simpson’s family feel “very strongly” about a finding of institutionalised misogyny in the PSNI in relation to her death.

“There are a number of serious issues in this report emerging. One of the key ones is the institutionalised misogyny within the PSNI, which is called out very, very clearly here today in this report,” he said

“The family feel very, very strongly about that and want to put that on the record, and it’s one of the key areas that they’ve been looking to in terms of recommendations and what can be dealt with and how that can be dealt.

“The other issue as well is that this is multi-agency. It isn’t just PSNI-centric.

“There are a lot of agencies, including healthcare agencies and others, who don’t escape the wrath of Dr Melia’s report and her findings.

“The other issue as well is that there’s a huge engagement on matters and failings prior to the death of Katie, before her murder there were a litany of failings, failure to notice and take regard of other incidents, other criminal investigations that were instituted but were never joined up or linked up.

“And ultimately that played a very, very significant part in Katie’s death.”

Simpson’s mother Noeleen Mullan said while they did not get justice, “I believe that people who think they’re above the law, you’re not above God’s law, no matter what you do, you will not get away with it”.

She also called for more safeguards around the equestrian world.

“I think girls’ love for horses is an awful drive for them and it’s very hard for young girls,” she said.

“I think other older girls that are in the industry really have to be looking around them, and looking after the young ones coming up, because there won’t be that many men who will.”