Ben Needham detective recalled from Kos after team’s ‘eight-hour binge’

The Guardian — South Yorkshire police to investigate report officers spent evening drinking hours after launching fresh appeal on Greek island

A senior police officer involved in the latest appeal for information relating to Ben Needham – the toddler who went missing on a Greek island almost 25 years ago – has been summoned back to the UK after members of the team reportedly went on an eight-hour drinking session.

A team of 10 senior officers has travelled to the Greek island as part of an ongoing search for Ben, who went missing in 1991 aged 21 months.

The last members of the team wound up the evening at 1.24 am, according to the Sun.

A South Yorkshire police spokeswoman said: “The team in Kos have been working on investigating the disappearance of Ben Needham for a number of years.

“We’re absolutely committed to this investigation and require the highest possible standards from all of those involved. The team must now get on with the important task in hand.

“Following concerns raised regarding the behaviour of some of those involved, the senior officer has been recalled to the UK with immediate effect to provide the details of exactly what has happened. An internal investigation will follow.”