Putney Pusher suspect's family accuse Met of lying about case and trying to 'rewrite history' after his death

The family of a millionaire banker suspected of being the Putney Pusher have accused the Metropolitan Police of lying about the case and trying to “rewrite history” after his death.Now they have accused the Met of lying about the case after the force said in a public statement they were still pursuing multiple lines of inquiry despite a detective recently stating in an email to Mr Brandram's lawyers that there was only one “final” avenue left to be resolved in their investigation.He had been released under investigation at the time of his death, but had not been cleared — a status known as “no further action”.His family revealed to the Sunday Times that an email from a detective constable to Brandram’s legal representatives, sent on September 7, said he had been “released under investigation now pending our final line of inquiry being completed”.But Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles, who leads policing in southwest London, said in a statement released to media on Thursday: “Following Mr Brandram’s release under investigation, it was made clear that inquiries would continue while officers progressed outstanding lines of inquiry and forensic examinations. This remains the position, and further investigative work is ongoing.”Nicholas Brandram, whose family have insisted he was not the so-called "Putney Pusher”PAHis family told the Sunday Times: “We were shocked and appalled when we read the Metropolitan Police statement issued after Nick’s death because it directly contradicts what the police dealing with his case told him while he was alive … so which is the lie?"The email, seen by the newspaper, also stated that “the lab is unable to provide an ETA [estimated time of arrival]”. Brandram’s relatives said: “Those words could hardly be clearer — Nick was told there was one final line of inquiry outstanding and that it was delayed at the laboratory. That final line of inquiry was a comparison between Nick’s DNA and the DNA left by the man who carried out the assault on Putney Bridge. Nick understood that result to be the final step before his name could be cleared.”The relatives said in their statement: “The Metropolitan Police cannot be allowed to rewrite the history of what happened now that Nick is no longer here to challenge them. The emails exist — their own words are in black and white.Read More“Nick was entitled to the truth while he was alive. His family and the public are entitled to the truth now that he is dead.”The Standard has contacted the Met for comment.Police sources indicated to the Sunday Times that DNA testing may not prove to be conclusive. A sample found on the victim’s clothing at the time of the incident in May 2017 could have deteriorated, may also have come from another individual, such as someone who helped her at the roadside, or brushed past her earlier on the morning commute, it reported.Police issued this image as part of their hunt for the suspectPA Archive/PA ImagesChief Superintendent Knowles also said on Thursday: “Our thoughts are with Mr Brandram’s family and friends at this deeply distressing time. We recognise the significant impact his death will have on those who knew and loved him. “We also understand the strain that being subject to a police investigation can place on individuals and their families."Investigations of this nature, particularly those involving complex evidential and forensic work, can take a number of months to complete as officers gather and assess all available evidence."As is required whenever a person dies following previous contact with police, a mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) on 16 September."The unsolved case of the Putney Pusher became one of Britain’s most notorious.A jogger was filmed on CCTV running past a man before shoving the female pedestrian into the path of the bus on May 5 2017.Bus driver Oliver Salbris told the Sunday Times at the time if he had not swerved “I would have smashed her head”, adding: “The consequences would have been terrible for her – and for me.”The victim escaped the ordeal with only minor injuries.The jogger pushed the pedestrian in front of a busMet PoliceThe woman was inches from being hit by the busMet PoliceIt was reported at the time that around 15 minutes after the push, the jogger came back the other way across the bridge, and ignored the victim when she tried to speak to him.Detectives identified more than 50 people of interest in their investigation and arrested two suspects before winding down the probe in 2018 over a lack of viable leads.Mr Brandram’s arrest in June followed his separation from his second wife, with whom he had a young son, the Sun reported.It is understood police were contacted by someone close to his estranged wife with information about the Putney Pusher, the newspaper reported.The banker in custody Mr Brandram was further arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A and B drugs, believed to be cocaine and cannabis.He was bailed later that day.His bail – which extends for a maximum of three months – was cancelled earlier this month as detectives informed him he was being kept under investigation though without any conditions or length of time.An inquest will be held into his death in due course.When life is difficult, Samaritans are available day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.