Corrupt behaviour in the Daniel Morgan case contributed to “one of the most devastating episodes in the history” of the Metropolitan Police, according to Priti Patel.

The Home Secretary told MPs a “litany of mistakes” made by the force “irreparably damaged” the chances of a successful prosecution of the private investigator’s murder.

She pledged to assess the 1,200 report produced by the independent panel and update MPs on the Government’s response to the recommendations.

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Panel members following the publication the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel report, at Church House, in Westminster, central London

Ms Patel also offered to meet the family of Mr Morgan, who was killed with an axe in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham on March 10 1987.

The Home Secretary arrived in the Commons minutes after the publication of the panel’s report, which accused the Met of a “form of institutional corruption” for concealing or denying failings over the unsolved murder.

Speaking in the chamber, Ms Patel told MPs: “It’s devastating that, 34 years after he was murdered, nobody has been brought to justice.

“The report sets out findings from its review of the last three decades, it’s over 1,200 pages long and three volumes. It is right that we carefully review its findings.

“The report itself is deeply alarming and finds examples of corrupt behaviour – corrupt behaviour was not limited to the first investigation – that the Metropolitan Police made a litany of mistakes, and that this irreparably damaged the chances of successful prosecution of Daniel Morgan’s murder.”

Ms Patel added: “The report accuses the Metropolitan Police of a form of institutional corruption.

“Police corruption is a betrayal of everything policing stands for in this country. It erodes public confidence in our entire criminal justice system. It undermines democracy and civilised society.

“We look to the police to protect us and so they are invested with great power.”

Ms Patel said the “overwhelming majority” of officers use this power honourably but criticised those who do “terrible harm” by misusing it or who “indulge in cover-up or ignore corruption”.

She went on: “This is one of the most devastating episodes in the history of the Metropolitan Police.”

Ms Patel insisted “we cannot ignore the findings of this report” and spoke of her efforts to overhaul the police complaints and disciplinary process.

She added: “Today I have written to Dame Cressida Dick to ask her to provide me with a detailed response into the panel’s recommendations for the Metropolitan Police and the wider issues outlined within the report.”

Ms Patel said she will ask Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services ( HMICFRS) to consider how best it can look into the issues raised by the report, and confirmed her intention to update MPs on progress made.

The Home Secretary also said “questions remain” about the ability of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to “hold the police to account”.

She said: “In particular, profound concerns exist around the handling of the IOPC’s investigation into Operation Midland. The issues raised by Daniel Morgan’s independent panel further reinforce the need for a strong police watchdog.

“I am therefore announcing today that I am bringing forward the next periodic review of the IOPC to start this summer. This will include an assessment of the IOPC’s effectiveness and efficiency.

“Daniel Morgan deserved far, far better than this, as did his family, and to them on what will be a very, very difficult day I say that the whole House will have them and Daniel in our thoughts.”

For Labour, shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the findings in the report are “damning” and “go to the very heart of our policing, criminal justice system and media”.

Conservative former prime minister Theresa May, who established the independent panel when home secretary, said: “At the heart of this damning report, thorough report, is yet another example of an organ of the state whose job was to protect the public, prioritising the reputation of the institution over the delivery of justice.”

Mrs May said the “vast majority” of police officers act with integrity, adding: “Where corruption does occur it must be rooted out with vigour, unlike what happened through this episode of finding the killer of Daniel Morgan.”

In response to a question from the SNP to meet Mr Morgan’s family to discuss the findings of the report, Ms Patel said: “I’d absolutely be happy to meet with the family… should that be of some support to them.”