Senior officer in Ben Needham probe recalled to UK after 'drinking session'

A senior police officer involved in the latest Ben Needham appeal on Kos has been summoned back to the UK after members of the team reportedly went on an eight-hour drinking session.

South Yorkshire Police said it is to investigate a report in The Sun that officers on the £1 million operation spent a long evening drinking wine and beer, beginning hours after launching the new drive for information.

As officers resumed their search for clues on Tuesday, Ben's mother Kerry Needham said she had "every faith" in the force and described the detectives as "amazing".

A team of 10 senior officers has travelled to the Greek island as part of an ongoing search for Ben that is reported to have cost £1 million.

By 5pm on Tuesday the officers had reportedly gathered for drinks at their hotel before heading to a pizzeria and bars.

The last members of the team wound up the evening at 1.24am, 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."