Biker photo 'unacceptable' - Hain

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Peter Hain has said a decision by North Wales Police to show photographs of a decapitated motorcyclist without family consent was "completely unacceptable".

The Welsh Secretary told the Commons chief constable Richard Brunstrom's decision caused "enormous distress".

Mr Brunstrom used the photos of Mark Gibney, 40 at a private media briefing to show the consequences of speeding

The force did not comment as the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

'Not consulted'

Mr Gibney was killed when his bike crashed on a bend on the B5105 between Cerrigydrudion and Ruthin in Denbighshire in 2003.

A graphic image of Mr Gibney's severed head, lying on a grass verge, was shown to journalists and council officials during a presentation by Mr Brunstrom last week.

Mr Gibney's headless torso was also shown, as well as the bodies of two young men who died in a different crash.

Peter Hain was answering questions in the Commons

Mr Brunstrom said he was showing the images to "give the context" of his anti-speeding campaign, but confirmed that permission had not been sought from Mr Gibney's family, who come from Merseyside.

At Commons question time, Labour MP for Clwyd South West, Martyn Jones, asked Mr Hain to join him in calling for Mr Brunstrom's resignation.

Mr Hain told MPs: "I agree this very much with Mr Jones that this episode has caused enormous distress for the relatives of this victim, who were not even consulted in advance about this behaviour by the North Wales Police chief constable.

"I think it's completely unacceptable and I know the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) are looking into it very seriously indeed."

North Wales Police Authority voluntarily referred the matter to the IPCC on Tuesday. The force has twice apologised to Mr Gibney's family.

Responding to the Commons exchange, a spokewoman for North Wales Police said it would be inappropriate for the force to make any comment as the matter had been referred to the IPCC.