AN enquiry has been launched by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) into how Gloucestershire Police handled a high-profile rape case.

Four students from the Royal Agricultural University - Thady Duff, 22, from Blunsdon, James Martin, 20, Leo Mahon, 22, and Patrick Foster, 22 - were acquitted in March after allegations they gang raped a woman after their summer ball in 2014.

As the case surrounding the men fell apart, they asked questions about the way officers and members of the Crown Prosecution Service had acted.

One of the men said he had felt “guilty until proven innocent” by officers who wanted to “better themselves”.

His barrister, Edward Henry said the police probe had been “one long exercise in bias”.

He added: “We need to know the answers to some questions. Why this should have gone on for so long as it has? Why it took 13 months to decide to charge these defendants in the first place?”

The IPCC today formally announced an investigation would take place.

An IPCC spokesman said: “In March 2016, on the first day of the trial, the prosecution announced that they would offer no evidence, and four male defendants who were accused of rape were acquitted. Three of the men were students at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester.

“Issues have been raised concerning the police investigation and the disclosure of evidence in preparation for the trial. The matter was referred to the IPCC and we have decided an independent investigation is appropriate.

“The IPCC will carefully examine the actions of the officers involved during both the investigation and the pre-trial process.”

Officers have a duty to investigate any crime involving serious allegations.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said: “We have now referred this matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and as we do not wish to prejudice their investigation we cannot comment further at this time.

“Our Public Protection Bureau and the CPS are also reviewing the case and will seek to learn lessons and improve how we investigate rape allegations in the future.

“It’s really important that this case doesn’t deter rape victims coming forward and as such we would like to reassure them that Gloucestershire Police does have a rape and sexual offences unit with specialist officers who work with the local referral centre to offer all the support possible.”