The Metropolitan Police have been accused of ignoring new evidence in the Suzy Lamplugh case, with a possible new suspect identified.

Ex-Scotland Yard detective David Videcette says the force has an ‘over-commitment’ to the original suspect in the disappearance of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh as the case hits yet another anniversary.

It was 33 years yesterday that Suzy disappeared, with police believing she left her west London office to meet a mystery client known only as Mr Kipper at a viewing.

The prime suspect was named as John Cannan – who was given a life sentence for separate murder and sexual offences in 1988.

But Videcette, who has been investigating the case himself since 2016, says his evidence suggests Cannan was not involved. Instead, he believes he has identified a new suspect.

Yesterday’s Sunday Telegraph said it was aware who this person is but withheld the name for legal reasons.

Videcette – who had no prior involvement in the case – provided his evidence to the Met in June that suggested the investigation was flawed from the start and claimed Suzy had invented the appointment with ‘Mr Kipper’ to cover her tracks as she went out on a personal matter in work time.

Videcette said: “Cannan has been convicted of other crimes and is rightly serving out his sentence for them. However, despite a clear lack of evidence against him in Suzy’s case and all the time these accusations are levelled at him, Suzy’s real killer remains at large.

“In the past ten months alone, the Met Police has wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds on a dig in Sutton Coldfield and another in Worcestershire, in a relentless pursuit of evidence against Cannan. My research suggests that the intelligence underpinning these digs is highly questionable.

“I remain committed to working with the police, but cannot, and will not, be silent about the evidence forever.”

A statement from the Met said: “The case remains open, and the Met remains committed to bringing Suzy’s killer to justice.

“We will continue to assess any new information that comes in. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to call officers on 0207 230 4294.”