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Only a public inquiry into Lawrence smears can restore trust in police Only a public inquiry into Lawrence smears can restore trust in police
(2 months later)
Theresa May's decision to refuse a public inquiry into police spying on the Stephen Lawrence family and its campaign for justice, is more than simply disappointing. It raises fundamental issues of police accountability and transparency. The public will be deeply concerned that allegations of the use of undercover surveillance on law-abiding groups and individuals will not be properly investigated.Theresa May's decision to refuse a public inquiry into police spying on the Stephen Lawrence family and its campaign for justice, is more than simply disappointing. It raises fundamental issues of police accountability and transparency. The public will be deeply concerned that allegations of the use of undercover surveillance on law-abiding groups and individuals will not be properly investigated.
Both the home secretary and the Metropolitan police commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe, should be aware that, by fudging the issue in this way, the failures over Stephen Lawrence will not simply go away. Since Stephen's murder in 1993 there have been repeated investigations of the police by police themselves. These have consistently resulted in police officers covering for each other. The Lawrence family is adamant that only a judge-led public inquiry – one that has the power to compel witnesses to attend and hold hearings in public – can effectively address the allegations of police spying and corruption.Both the home secretary and the Metropolitan police commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe, should be aware that, by fudging the issue in this way, the failures over Stephen Lawrence will not simply go away. Since Stephen's murder in 1993 there have been repeated investigations of the police by police themselves. These have consistently resulted in police officers covering for each other. The Lawrence family is adamant that only a judge-led public inquiry – one that has the power to compel witnesses to attend and hold hearings in public – can effectively address the allegations of police spying and corruption.
The family's lawyer, Imran Khan, has now hinted at a possible boycott by them of the two internal inquiries – the Ellison review (by barrister Mark Ellison into claims of police corruption in the original Stephen Lawrence investigation), and Operation Herne (the police-led investigation into the use of undercover officers).The family's lawyer, Imran Khan, has now hinted at a possible boycott by them of the two internal inquiries – the Ellison review (by barrister Mark Ellison into claims of police corruption in the original Stephen Lawrence investigation), and Operation Herne (the police-led investigation into the use of undercover officers).
In reaching her decision May chose to ignore other significant factors. Last week, John Grieve, the former deputy assistant commissioner and head of the race and violent crime taskforce, admitted to taping privileged conversations between the key witness to Stephen's murder, Duwayne Brooks, and his solicitor. This admission stunned many bereaved families and race-equality groups who had been won over by his systematic collation of evidence against suspects. And this raises broader questions: were the Lawrence legal meetings also bugged; and were its campaign meetings with MPs or even the home secretary also bugged?In reaching her decision May chose to ignore other significant factors. Last week, John Grieve, the former deputy assistant commissioner and head of the race and violent crime taskforce, admitted to taping privileged conversations between the key witness to Stephen's murder, Duwayne Brooks, and his solicitor. This admission stunned many bereaved families and race-equality groups who had been won over by his systematic collation of evidence against suspects. And this raises broader questions: were the Lawrence legal meetings also bugged; and were its campaign meetings with MPs or even the home secretary also bugged?
I first became involved in supporting the Lawrence family in late 1993, and co-ordinated its campaign. In the initial period our aim was seemingly simple: to ensure a thorough police investigation into the murder. Our focus never changed, despite suffering unusual burglaries at the office and whispering campaigns by police. At the time we were also supporting a number of other families, including those of Ricky Reel and Michael Menson, who were also campaigning for a thorough police investigation. These families and many more will also have to be assured by the Metropolitan police service that they too were not subject to covert surveillance.I first became involved in supporting the Lawrence family in late 1993, and co-ordinated its campaign. In the initial period our aim was seemingly simple: to ensure a thorough police investigation into the murder. Our focus never changed, despite suffering unusual burglaries at the office and whispering campaigns by police. At the time we were also supporting a number of other families, including those of Ricky Reel and Michael Menson, who were also campaigning for a thorough police investigation. These families and many more will also have to be assured by the Metropolitan police service that they too were not subject to covert surveillance.
Over the coming months, the determination for a public inquiry will gather pace. This comes at a time when surveys indicate that public confidence in the Metropolitan police is at an all-time low, particularly among London's black and minority ethnic communities. And today's report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which reveals severe shortcomings in the way Scotland Yard handles complaints of racism against its officers – a decade after it promised to stamp out prejudice in its ranks – will only add to public concerns. Neither the home secretary nor the Metropolitan police commissioner can wish the problem away. And if they compound this by digging in and rejecting the justified calls for a public inquiry into the Lawrence smears, the damage to public trust may be beyond repair.Over the coming months, the determination for a public inquiry will gather pace. This comes at a time when surveys indicate that public confidence in the Metropolitan police is at an all-time low, particularly among London's black and minority ethnic communities. And today's report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which reveals severe shortcomings in the way Scotland Yard handles complaints of racism against its officers – a decade after it promised to stamp out prejudice in its ranks – will only add to public concerns. Neither the home secretary nor the Metropolitan police commissioner can wish the problem away. And if they compound this by digging in and rejecting the justified calls for a public inquiry into the Lawrence smears, the damage to public trust may be beyond repair.
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