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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Police officer in Sean Rigg case to face perjury charge over inquest evidence | Police officer in Sean Rigg case to face perjury charge over inquest evidence |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A police officer is to be charged with perjury over evidence he gave during an inquest into the death in police custody of a musician with mental illness after his bereaved family put pressure on prosecutors. | A police officer is to be charged with perjury over evidence he gave during an inquest into the death in police custody of a musician with mental illness after his bereaved family put pressure on prosecutors. |
| Sean Rigg, 40, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, died of a heart attack at Brixton police station in 2008 after being arrested on suspicion of attacking passersby and officers. | Sean Rigg, 40, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, died of a heart attack at Brixton police station in 2008 after being arrested on suspicion of attacking passersby and officers. |
| Sgt Paul White faces the charge over evidence he gave at the inquest into Rigg’s death in July 2012, the Crown Prosecution Service said on Wednesday. He will appear at Westminster magistrates court on 8 September. | |
| The inquest jury found police used “unsuitable” force when they arrested Rigg, who was held in a police van for 11 minutes before being taken to the station. | The inquest jury found police used “unsuitable” force when they arrested Rigg, who was held in a police van for 11 minutes before being taken to the station. |
| The decision to charge White comes after a review of the case under a recently introduced scheme that gives victims the right to request that the CPS reconsiders decisions not to prosecute. | |
| Rigg’s family, led by his sister Marcia Rigg-Samuel, have long fought for answers over what they call his “untimely death”. | Rigg’s family, led by his sister Marcia Rigg-Samuel, have long fought for answers over what they call his “untimely death”. |
| The CPS said last year it would take no further action after considering allegations against White and PC Mark Harratt concerning statements made about Rigg. | The CPS said last year it would take no further action after considering allegations against White and PC Mark Harratt concerning statements made about Rigg. |
| It has now decided to overturn the decision for White but maintained that there is not enough evidence to charge Harratt. | It has now decided to overturn the decision for White but maintained that there is not enough evidence to charge Harratt. |
| Speaking after the CPS decision, Rigg-Samuel said: “I welcome today’s announcement of the charge of perjury against PS White. I speak for all my family in asking those involved in this prosecution to ensure that no fear or favour is given to the defendant and that the prosecution goes ahead as speedily as possible. | Speaking after the CPS decision, Rigg-Samuel said: “I welcome today’s announcement of the charge of perjury against PS White. I speak for all my family in asking those involved in this prosecution to ensure that no fear or favour is given to the defendant and that the prosecution goes ahead as speedily as possible. |
| “I now expect confirmation that PS White has been suspended pending the outcome of the prosecution. I await the decision of the MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] on possible disciplinary charges against PC Harratt.” | “I now expect confirmation that PS White has been suspended pending the outcome of the prosecution. I await the decision of the MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] on possible disciplinary charges against PC Harratt.” |
| The inquest jury found officers failed to uphold Rigg’s basic rights as he collapsed after being pinned down. They concluded that the Metropolitan police made a catalogue of errors, which “more than minimally” contributed to his death. | The inquest jury found officers failed to uphold Rigg’s basic rights as he collapsed after being pinned down. They concluded that the Metropolitan police made a catalogue of errors, which “more than minimally” contributed to his death. |
| Rigg was living in a south London hostel in August 2008 when his mental health deteriorated. One afternoon, he smashed up a gazebo and made karate moves that staff viewed as threatening, so they called police. | Rigg was living in a south London hostel in August 2008 when his mental health deteriorated. One afternoon, he smashed up a gazebo and made karate moves that staff viewed as threatening, so they called police. |
| Sue Hemming, the head of the CPS’s special crime and counter-terrorism division, said: “The CPS victims’ right to review scheme allows victims to seek a review of a CPS decision not to prosecute in certain circumstances. | |
| “In this case, the complainant’s bereaved family were eligible to apply and the case was referred to me to decide if the original decision not to prosecute was correct. | “In this case, the complainant’s bereaved family were eligible to apply and the case was referred to me to decide if the original decision not to prosecute was correct. |
| “After careful consideration of the evidence, I have decided that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to charge Paul White with one count of perjury, which relates to the evidence he gave at Mr Rigg’s inquest and therefore the original decision should be overturned. | “After careful consideration of the evidence, I have decided that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to charge Paul White with one count of perjury, which relates to the evidence he gave at Mr Rigg’s inquest and therefore the original decision should be overturned. |
| “I also considered evidence against another police officer but agreed with the original decision not to prosecute due to insufficient evidence.” | “I also considered evidence against another police officer but agreed with the original decision not to prosecute due to insufficient evidence.” |
| The Met said the officer facing criminal charges would be placed on restricted duties. Rigg-Samuel had called for his suspension after the CPS decision to charge PS White for perjury. | The Met said the officer facing criminal charges would be placed on restricted duties. Rigg-Samuel had called for his suspension after the CPS decision to charge PS White for perjury. |