THE Met Police has referred itself to the police watchdog over “contact” with the Putney Pusher suspect – after he was found dead at his home.

Nicholas Brandram’s heartbroken family at his property in Chiswick, West .

Surveillance footage of the "Putney Pusher" running.Cops interviewed 50 men in relation to the incident on Putney Bridge Credit: Handout Nicholas Brandram, Director at HSBC.Nicholas Brandram’s heartbroken family blamed the force after his death Credit: HSBC

The 44-year-old’s family claimed that he “took his own life after months of immense pressure”.

Brandram , which saw a woman pushed into the path of an on-coming bus in May 2017.

The force described the as ‘’unexpected’’ but not suspicious.

But it has since referred itself to the Independent Office for Conduct (IOPC) over the case.

Nicholas Brandram, a suspect in the Putney Pusher case, riding a bicycle.The 44-year-old’s family claimed that he ‘took his own life after months of immense pressure’ Credit: Doug Seeburg CCTV footage of a jogger pushing a woman into the path of a bus.No one has ever been charged in connection with the incident Credit: Enterprise

An IOPC spokesman said: “We have received a mandatory referral from the Met Police relating to prior contact officers had with Nicholas Brandram, who was sadly found unresponsive and declared deceased on 15 September.

“We are currently assessing the referral before deciding whether further action is required from us.”

Brandram’s furious family today protested his innocence and slammed the force for failing to “clear his name” before his death.

Ambulance and police crews discovered the body of Mr Brandram, a descendant of , at his home on Tuesday evening.

The ex-Army officer’s relatives claimed there was no forensic evidence linking him to the or placing him on the bridge at the time.

They also told how he had carried the weight of the allegations for months.

Issuing a statement, they said: “The Met Police knew he was not [the Putney Pusher].

“And yet, when Nick died, they had still failed formally to clear his name. That is a source of profound grief and anger for our family.

“There was no forensic evidence linking Nick to it, no evidence placing him on Putney Bridge at that time, and no credible evidence that he was the man shown in the footage.

“In fact, the evidence proved the opposite. Despite that, the police chose to arrest Nick rather than invite him to attend for interview.

“He lived with the shame, anxiety, humiliation and extraordinary pressure created by a wholly unnecessary .”

Shocking images showed the 12-ton bus narrowly missing the woman on the bridge spanning the River Thames in South West London.

Detectives interviewed 50 men and arrested three suspects, including an American investment banker who wasn’t in the country at the time.

But no one was ever charged in connection with the incident.

The investigation was wound down in 2018 over a lack of viable leads.

Brandram’s arrest followed his separation from his second wife, with whom he had a young son.

It is understood police were contacted by someone close to his estranged wife with information about the Putney Pusher.

The banker was held on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm (GBH).

While in custody he was further arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A and B , believed to be cocaine and .

He was bailed later that day.

His bail – which extends for a maximum of three months – was cancelled last week.

Detectives informed him he was being kept under investigation though without any conditions or length of time.