Family Accuses Police of 'Rewriting History' After Man's Suicide

The family of Nicholas Brandram, the man suspected of being the 'Putney Pusher,' has accused the Metropolitan Police of attempting to "rewrite history" following his suicide. Brandram, 44, died on September 15 after what his family describes as "months of immense pressure" resulting from his arrest and ongoing investigation.

Relatives expressed shock and dismay at statements from Scotland Yard suggesting multiple lines of inquiry were still open, contradicting a detective's recent assertion that only one final avenue remained. Brandram's mother and sisters believe a DNA test would have proven his innocence and are critical of the police's handling of the case.

Brandram, a descendant of Queen Victoria and a former army captain, was arrested in June in connection with an incident in 2017. During the incident, a woman was shoved into the path of a bus on Putney Bridge, though she sustained only minor injuries due to the driver's swift actions. Following his arrest on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm, police searched his home and rearrested him on drug possession charges.

Brandram, who was a director at HSBC's private bank before his suspension, was reportedly told by a detective constable in an email dated September 7 that he was "released under investigation now pending our final line of inquiry being completed." However, Chief Superintendent Dan Knowles stated that inquiries would continue, a position the family disputes, citing the email as contradictory evidence.

In a statement to The Sunday Times, the family asserted, "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."

Brandram's sisters, Alexia Hicks and Sophie Voelcker, had previously accused the police of negligence. They revealed that Brandram had offered to pay for a private DNA test two months prior to expedite the process, but was advised by officers that results would be available within four weeks. "Over two months later, there's still no result," the sisters stated.

Alexia Hicks described her brother's deteriorating mental health in the week leading up to his death, recounting his words that the investigation was "murdering him, day by day." The family expressed their belief that the police "failed Nick and society in their duty of care."

Following Brandram's death, the Metropolitan Police referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.