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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Blair Peach death secrecy review | Blair Peach death secrecy review |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A secret report into the death of an anti-racism campaigner 30 years ago should be published, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner has said. | A secret report into the death of an anti-racism campaigner 30 years ago should be published, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner has said. |
| Sir Paul Stephenson said there would have to be "overwhelming" reasons not to release an internal inquiry into the death of Blair Peach. | Sir Paul Stephenson said there would have to be "overwhelming" reasons not to release an internal inquiry into the death of Blair Peach. |
| Mr Peach, 33, died as police dispersed protesters at an anti-fascist protest in Southall, west London, in 1979. | Mr Peach, 33, died as police dispersed protesters at an anti-fascist protest in Southall, west London, in 1979. |
| Sir Paul said the report would be reviewed before publication. | Sir Paul said the report would be reviewed before publication. |
| Mr Peach, a teacher from New Zealand, died from a blow to the head at a demonstration against the National Front. | Mr Peach, a teacher from New Zealand, died from a blow to the head at a demonstration against the National Front. |
| I have just been really cynical about it and I really did not expect a result today Mr Peach's partner Celia Stubbs | I have just been really cynical about it and I really did not expect a result today Mr Peach's partner Celia Stubbs |
| Sir Paul told a meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) at City Hall in London that a review of the documents would take place to consider whether any censorship was required before they were published. | Sir Paul told a meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) at City Hall in London that a review of the documents would take place to consider whether any censorship was required before they were published. |
| Mr Peach's partner, Celia Stubbs, 68, who travelled to City Hall from her Brighton home, burst into tears after the announcement. | Mr Peach's partner, Celia Stubbs, 68, who travelled to City Hall from her Brighton home, burst into tears after the announcement. |
| Speaking outside the meeting, she said the death of Ian Tomlinson during the G20 protests in the City of London on 1 April was a catalyst for the decision. | Speaking outside the meeting, she said the death of Ian Tomlinson during the G20 protests in the City of London on 1 April was a catalyst for the decision. |
| She said: "I am just totally bowled over. I have just been really cynical about it and I really did not expect a result today. I have been proved wrong." | She said: "I am just totally bowled over. I have just been really cynical about it and I really did not expect a result today. I have been proved wrong." |
| G20 scrutiny | G20 scrutiny |
| Sir Paul told the MPA meeting: "The case was brought to my attention during the intense scrutiny of G20. | Sir Paul told the MPA meeting: "The case was brought to my attention during the intense scrutiny of G20. |
| "Given the time that has passed since Blair Peach's death, I have asked for a detailed review of the reasons why we should not release the report. | "Given the time that has passed since Blair Peach's death, I have asked for a detailed review of the reasons why we should not release the report. |
| "I want to make it clear my starting point is a desire to publish unless there are reasons that cannot be overcome of fairness, legality and so on." | "I want to make it clear my starting point is a desire to publish unless there are reasons that cannot be overcome of fairness, legality and so on." |
| The death of Ian Tomlinson prompted new inquiries into Mr Peach's death | |
| Members of the MPA unanimously supported a decision to review the documents with a view to publishing them before the end of the year. | Members of the MPA unanimously supported a decision to review the documents with a view to publishing them before the end of the year. |
| They were created by Commander John Cass, a former senior officer at the Met's internal complaints department. | They were created by Commander John Cass, a former senior officer at the Met's internal complaints department. |
| He was reported to have recommended the prosecution of police officers, although no charges were ever brought. | He was reported to have recommended the prosecution of police officers, although no charges were ever brought. |
| Green Party and MPA member Jenny Jones, who led calls for the document to be published, said: "It is absolutely ludicrous that it has been kept quiet for so long." | |
| Deborah Coles, of campaign group Inquest, said: "We welcome the lifting of the veil of secrecy surrounding this death that has undermined family and public confidence in the Metropolitan Police. | |
| "The challenge now is to ensure that there is as full disclosure as legally possible and that reasons are given for any redactions given ongoing public concern about this process." |