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Expect a cover-up from the IPCC

ftp | 31.07.2005 22:09 | Repression | Social Struggles | London

….Recommendation 10 of the MacPherson Report into the murder of Stephen Lawrence suggests that the reports of investigating officers be made available to complainants against the police. That recommendation is subject of consultation and debate within the Home Office. The view of the Association of Chief Police Officers, supported by the Metropolitan Police, is that there is significant law supporting the view that such reports should not be routinely disclosed to complainants. It is vital that Investigating Officers feel they can be can be candid when preparing their reports. Any loss of candour would significantly detract from their value to senior officers who rely upon the insight, views and perceptions of investigators when reaching decisions. Such views are frequently subjective and need to be interpreted with care by an experienced person…..

…A matter I have considered is whether or not I should have the report redacted if it were revealed to you.It is 82 pages long and contains 349 paragraphs. Redaction would take some time and render the report meaningless

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Roy Clark in a letter to murder victim Daniel Morgan’s family

The (de Menezes) investigation is being led by IPCC Director of Operations Roy Clark

IPCC press release

"The IPCC have forfeited the appearance of independence before a single statement has been taken by appointing a former Met officer of senior rank to investigate his former colleagues. This is not the way to create confidence in a new watchdog.

Alastair Morgan Press release 29/07/05


Eight bullets from a policemen's gun ended the life of 27 year old Brazilian electician Jean Charles de Menezes on Friday 22nd July 2005. Since then many of us have watched a tragic farce unfold. Police statements have been seen to be fabricated, and attempts to prove a "direct link" between Me de Menezes and the London bombings have proved unsustainable. An "intelligence" led operation has resulted in a tragic death, and already we have learnt that the cops have something to hide.

The matter has now been passed to the supposedly 'Independent' Police Complaints Commission, where, astoundingly, a former Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner will investigate his own former colleagues. How is this an improvement on the former system where investigations were at least headed by someone from a different force? And are we seriously expected to have faith in an investigation by someone who favours "redacting" reports to the extent that they are meaningless before the complainant gets to see them?

The CCTV footage from the Stockwell incident DOES exist, we learn from yesterdays Guardian. Its all with Nick Hardwick of the IPCC, and he says it is "very, very helpful" to the inquiry. So, why haven't WE seen it? No doubt Roy Clark has told Nick Hardwick that it needs to be "interpreted with care by an experienced person…..

After all, we know who the victim was, we know that the Met says it was cops what shot him, and even that they have given the cop who pulled the trigger an expenses paid holiday with his family. So, why can't we see what the footage shows?

The signs are ominous ..... Nick Hardwick has stated that:

""The IPCC independently investigates all fatal police shootings. In carrying out this investigation, the IPCC will ensure that nothing is done to hinder the urgent police priority of tracking down and bringing to justice those responsible for the recent London bombings and their vital work to prevent further outrages.”

Does he not see that the killing of Mr. de Mendezes is a "further outrage"? So too is the appointment of Roy "cover-up" Clark with his arrogant assertion that information should be rendered "meaningless" before the complainant receives it.

The killer of Daniel Morgan has never been brought to justice, Roy Clark paid a part in that.

Nick Hardwick's liberal reputation will not suffice when Roy Clark kills the inquiry, leaving de Menezes killer unpunished. All the indications are that we are about to witness the mother of all cover-ups, that the IPCC will be seen to be as big a sham as the PCA it replaced, and once again a victim's family will be left in the dark.

Justice for Jean Charles will not come from that quarter. We must join the family in the fight to ensure that the facts are brought to light, and that the Shoot To Kill policy is brought to an end.

Justice for the families of Jean Charles de Mendezes, Daniel Morgan and the United Families and Friends campaign! Their struggle is our struggle. Killer cops must be dragged into the dock.

ftp

Comments

Display the following 10 comments

  1. Prejudice — Zorro
  2. Well done — Terence
  3. Okay, so a troll and coplover don't like the post — ftp
  4. "Killer cops must be dragged into the dock." — knows a lawyer
  5. Sort it out trolls — ftp
  6. Why ? — Terence
  7. Ran toward the man — Laughing
  8. Chill — Laura Czinski
  9. I agree — Asfal
  10. Yawn.... — A