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Sir Norman Bettison faces investigation over Stephen Lawrence evidence Sir Norman Bettison faces investigation over Stephen Lawrence evidence
(2 months later)
The former police chief Sir Norman Bettison will be investigated by a watchdog over claims he tried to influence the way a witness gave evidence at the public inquiry following the murder of Stephen Lawrence.The former police chief Sir Norman Bettison will be investigated by a watchdog over claims he tried to influence the way a witness gave evidence at the public inquiry following the murder of Stephen Lawrence.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said on Friday that police systems may have been misused and it would investigate whether commissioning a report on the witness to the Macpherson inquiry was racially motivated.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said on Friday that police systems may have been misused and it would investigate whether commissioning a report on the witness to the Macpherson inquiry was racially motivated.
However, it also said the former undercover officer Peter Francis – who has claimed Metropolitan police officers were told to look for information to smear the Lawrence family – had yet to respond to the watchdog's request to speak to him.However, it also said the former undercover officer Peter Francis – who has claimed Metropolitan police officers were told to look for information to smear the Lawrence family – had yet to respond to the watchdog's request to speak to him.
He has already refused to speak to the chief constable Mick Creedon, who is leading a police investigation into the activities of officers from Scotland Yard's special demonstration squad.He has already refused to speak to the chief constable Mick Creedon, who is leading a police investigation into the activities of officers from Scotland Yard's special demonstration squad.
Bettison, a former chief constable of West Yorkshire police, was referred to the IPCC by the county's police and crime commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, earlier this month.Bettison, a former chief constable of West Yorkshire police, was referred to the IPCC by the county's police and crime commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, earlier this month.
The IPCC deputy chairwoman Deborah Glass said: "From the evidence provided in support of the referral, although there is a suggestion that the reason for carrying out the research was to risk-assess the likelihood of any public disorder, the intelligence gathering requested appears to have been both inappropriate and intrusive.The IPCC deputy chairwoman Deborah Glass said: "From the evidence provided in support of the referral, although there is a suggestion that the reason for carrying out the research was to risk-assess the likelihood of any public disorder, the intelligence gathering requested appears to have been both inappropriate and intrusive.
"In the absence of legitimate justification for the research there is an indication of misuse of police information systems and unlawful processing of the witness's (sensitive) personal data by all involved. This would be a clear indication of recordable conduct concerning this tasking."In the absence of legitimate justification for the research there is an indication of misuse of police information systems and unlawful processing of the witness's (sensitive) personal data by all involved. This would be a clear indication of recordable conduct concerning this tasking.
"This matter therefore requires investigation. The investigation should also consider whether the tasking was motivated or influenced by racial discrimination.""This matter therefore requires investigation. The investigation should also consider whether the tasking was motivated or influenced by racial discrimination."
Claims made by Francis about the Lawrence family, and the teenager's friend Duwayne Brooks, were also referred to the IPCC, but Glass said they could not yet be properly assessed.Claims made by Francis about the Lawrence family, and the teenager's friend Duwayne Brooks, were also referred to the IPCC, but Glass said they could not yet be properly assessed.
Glass said: "I have written to Mr Francis to ask if he would be willing to speak to the IPCC. I have not yet had a response, so can only rely on his statements as reported in the Guardian that he is only willing to assist a public inquiry.Glass said: "I have written to Mr Francis to ask if he would be willing to speak to the IPCC. I have not yet had a response, so can only rely on his statements as reported in the Guardian that he is only willing to assist a public inquiry.
"While the allegations are serious, and indicate potential grave misconduct, there is as yet no information or evidence to support them and the fact that the maker of the allegations is unwilling to talk to anyone in a position to investigate them means that their credibility cannot properly be assessed at this stage.""While the allegations are serious, and indicate potential grave misconduct, there is as yet no information or evidence to support them and the fact that the maker of the allegations is unwilling to talk to anyone in a position to investigate them means that their credibility cannot properly be assessed at this stage."
The watchdog found no evidence of misconduct at Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire police in relation to the case.The watchdog found no evidence of misconduct at Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire police in relation to the case.
Greater Manchester police had alerted the IPCC to a message that said special branch wanted information on groups or individuals likely to attend the inquiry, which caused concern in the force at the time.Greater Manchester police had alerted the IPCC to a message that said special branch wanted information on groups or individuals likely to attend the inquiry, which caused concern in the force at the time.
South Yorkshire flagged up monitoring of "extreme leftwing groups" attending events indirectly linked to the inquiry.South Yorkshire flagged up monitoring of "extreme leftwing groups" attending events indirectly linked to the inquiry.
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