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Ruling due in witness murder case Ruling due in witness murder case
(10 minutes later)
Law Lords are expected to rule later on whether a police force breached the human rights of a witness who was murdered before he could give evidence.Law Lords are expected to rule later on whether a police force breached the human rights of a witness who was murdered before he could give evidence.
Hertfordshire Police were found to have failed to protect Giles Van Colle, 25, who was shot dead in November 2000.Hertfordshire Police were found to have failed to protect Giles Van Colle, 25, who was shot dead in November 2000.
Police counsel said his killer's actions could not have been foreseen and did not involve human rights laws.Police counsel said his killer's actions could not have been foreseen and did not involve human rights laws.
The Law Lords' ruling could affect policing, national and local government, it has been claimed. The Law Lords' ruling could affect policing and government at national and local level, it has been claimed.
In a separate case, the House of Lords will also rule on a challenge by Sussex Police that it was negligent in failing to protect a man who was attacked by his former partner. The House of Lords is also due to rule on a second case involving the level of protection afforded by police to a Sussex man who was attacked by his former partner.
Stephen Smith had repeatedly warned Brighton police that he was in danger from Gareth Jeffrey who later attacked him with a claw hammer. Stephen Smith had repeatedly warned Brighton police that he was in danger from Gareth Jeffrey, who later attacked him with a claw hammer.
Mr Van Colle's family have also appealed against the halving of £50,000 they were awarded in damages against Hertfordshire Police.
'Crucial witness''Crucial witness'
Mr Van Colle was shot by Daniel Brougham in north west London. But the case which could have far reaching legal consequences involves Mr Van Colle and a finding by the the High Court in March 2006 that Hertfordshire Police violated Articles 2 and 8 of the Human Rights Act.
He had been due to give evidence against Brougham, a former employee, who was sacked for stealing. Mr Van Colle had been due to give evidence against Brougham, a former employee, who was sacked for stealing.
Mr Van Colle's family said Hertfordshire Police had failed in their duties under the Human Rights Act. Counsel for Mr Van Colle's family, Monika Carss-Frisk QC said police "not only did nothing to protect Giles but did not even address the need to protect this crucial witness".
Monika Carss-Frisk QC said police "not only did nothing to protect Giles but did not even address the need to protect this crucial witness". Three appeal judges rejected a challenge by the force that they had violated his human rights in failing to "discharge the positive obligation of the police" to protect his life.
Last year three appeal judges rejected a challenge by the force that they had violated his human rights laws in failing to "discharge the positive obligation of the police" to protect his life.
The Home Office, Equality and Human Rights Commission and four charities, Inquest, Justice, Liberty and Mind, are involved in the actions before the court.The Home Office, Equality and Human Rights Commission and four charities, Inquest, Justice, Liberty and Mind, are involved in the actions before the court.
Previously the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has said a judgment against Hertfordshire Police would result in "significant policy and procedural change within the police force".Previously the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has said a judgment against Hertfordshire Police would result in "significant policy and procedural change within the police force".