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Police rule out Nickell inquiry Police rule out Nickell inquiry
(20 minutes later)
Scotland Yard has rejected calls for an inquiry into errors made when police investigated the killing of Rachel Nickell in 1992.Scotland Yard has rejected calls for an inquiry into errors made when police investigated the killing of Rachel Nickell in 1992.
On Thursday convicted killer Robert Napper admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.On Thursday convicted killer Robert Napper admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Police then apologised to Colin Stagg, wrongly accused of her murder in 1994.Police then apologised to Colin Stagg, wrongly accused of her murder in 1994.
They said more could have been done to catch Napper and prevent his further crimes but insisted the way murder is investigated has changed significantly.They said more could have been done to catch Napper and prevent his further crimes but insisted the way murder is investigated has changed significantly.
Labour MP Keith Vaz had called for the police to review their procedures.Labour MP Keith Vaz had called for the police to review their procedures.
Rachel Nickell, 23, was stabbed 49 times as she walked on south London's Wimbledon Common with her two-year-old son on 15 July 1992.Rachel Nickell, 23, was stabbed 49 times as she walked on south London's Wimbledon Common with her two-year-old son on 15 July 1992.
'Mistakes made''Mistakes made'
The police hunt for her killer led to Mr Stagg, from Roehampton, south-west London, who appeared on trial for murder in 1994.The police hunt for her killer led to Mr Stagg, from Roehampton, south-west London, who appeared on trial for murder in 1994.
But the case was thrown out after evidence from an undercover policewoman was ruled inadmissible.But the case was thrown out after evidence from an undercover policewoman was ruled inadmissible.
Mr Stagg, who spent 13 months in custody, was awarded £706,000 compensation from the Home Office earlier this year.Mr Stagg, who spent 13 months in custody, was awarded £706,000 compensation from the Home Office earlier this year.
On Thursday, the Met's Assistant Commissioner John Yates apologised to Mr Stagg. We need to make sure whatever the technology involved that this kind of thing never happens again Keith Vaz MPOn Thursday, the Met's Assistant Commissioner John Yates apologised to Mr Stagg. We need to make sure whatever the technology involved that this kind of thing never happens again Keith Vaz MP
He said: "It is clear he is completely innocent of any involvement in this case and I today apologise to him for the mistakes that were made in the early 1990s."He said: "It is clear he is completely innocent of any involvement in this case and I today apologise to him for the mistakes that were made in the early 1990s."
He added: "We do say, however, that the way murder is investigated now has changed significantly from 16 years ago."He added: "We do say, however, that the way murder is investigated now has changed significantly from 16 years ago."
Question marks still hang over the original investigation and the missed opportunities to catch Napper, who went on to kill another young mother and her daughter.Question marks still hang over the original investigation and the missed opportunities to catch Napper, who went on to kill another young mother and her daughter.
Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: "We need to make sure whatever the technology involved that this kind of thing never happens again, so an internal review is extremely necessary."Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: "We need to make sure whatever the technology involved that this kind of thing never happens again, so an internal review is extremely necessary."
But Scotland Yard told the BBC the case had been extensively reviewed already and lessons had been learned.Robert Napper suffered from paranoid schizophreniaBut Scotland Yard told the BBC the case had been extensively reviewed already and lessons had been learned.Robert Napper suffered from paranoid schizophrenia
During the Old Bailey hearing, Rachel Nickell's parents said the pain of their daughter's death remained with them "every minute of every day".During the Old Bailey hearing, Rachel Nickell's parents said the pain of their daughter's death remained with them "every minute of every day".
An Old Bailey judge told Napper, 42, a convicted killer and serial rapist, he would be held indefinitely at Broadmoor high security hospital.An Old Bailey judge told Napper, 42, a convicted killer and serial rapist, he would be held indefinitely at Broadmoor high security hospital.
Mr Justice Griffiths Williams said: "You are on any view a very dangerous man."Mr Justice Griffiths Williams said: "You are on any view a very dangerous man."
Earlier, the court had heard psychiatrists believed Napper had paranoid schizophrenia and Asperger's syndrome at the time of the killing.Earlier, the court had heard psychiatrists believed Napper had paranoid schizophrenia and Asperger's syndrome at the time of the killing.
He was questioned in December 1995 about Miss Nickell's killing, but denied involvement.He was questioned in December 1995 about Miss Nickell's killing, but denied involvement.
Rachel Nickell's family gave their reaction to the guilty verdict Police reject Nickell inquiry calls
He had been sent to Broadmoor secure hospital two months earlier for raping and killing Samantha Bissett, 27, and her four-year-old daughter Jazmine in Plumstead, south London, in November 1993.He had been sent to Broadmoor secure hospital two months earlier for raping and killing Samantha Bissett, 27, and her four-year-old daughter Jazmine in Plumstead, south London, in November 1993.
A tiny particle of Napper's DNA was picked up when Miss Nickell's body was swabbed soon after her death.A tiny particle of Napper's DNA was picked up when Miss Nickell's body was swabbed soon after her death.
But it was too small to be analysed until recent advances made it possible. A match to Napper was confirmed in 2004.But it was too small to be analysed until recent advances made it possible. A match to Napper was confirmed in 2004.
He was interviewed again in Broadmoor in 2006, but again did not own up to the crime.He was interviewed again in Broadmoor in 2006, but again did not own up to the crime.
In 1989, officers failed to question him after his mother rang a local police station to say he had confessed to a rape.In 1989, officers failed to question him after his mother rang a local police station to say he had confessed to a rape.
Napper was also questioned about a series of sex attacks in 1992, but was wrongly eliminated.Napper was also questioned about a series of sex attacks in 1992, but was wrongly eliminated.