Category: Deaths in Custody
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Hardline security bills pose dilemma for Labour
Several bills going through the House of Commons at the moment demonstrate the Johnson's Government's commitment to the hard edge of state power, in both its overt and covert forms. While this legislation raises significant human rights concerns, Labour has been cautious in challenging the Government so far. This may reflect Keir Starmer's strategy of…
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De Menezes: Why was the firearms team delayed?
In recent weeks, Sir Ian Blair’s defenders have made much of the idea that criticism over the death of Jean Charles De Menezes risks undermining the fight against the genuine threat of suicide bombers. Yet one of the many disturbing things that emerges clearly from the IPCC’s Stockwell One report is that the Met might…
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IPCC report on De Menezes shooting published
The Independent Police Complaints Commission published its Stockwell One report into the killing of Jean Charles De Menezes today. The report is not easy to find on the IPCC website but the Yorkshire Ranter has managed to track down the link. A pdf copy is also available via the BBC.
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Unanswered questions in the De Menezes case
Smearing the victim is all too common in deaths in custody cases, and it’s about time somebody was held accountable, so I agree with those who say that Ian Blair should resign over the death of Jean Charles De Menezes. Nevertheless, I wonder whether Blair and the Met are taking the rap for other agencies.…
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Blair confirms special forces role in De Menezes case
Postman Patel points us towards some significant developments concerning the role of Army special forces in the death of Jean Charles De Menezes. Last Thursday, Sir Ian Blair admitted to the Metropolitan Police Authority that the SAS were involved in the operation. Yesterday’s Sunday Express carried what it claims is a picture of a soldier…
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MOD denies De Menezes Freedom of Information request
I mentioned last month that I had sent a Freedom of Information Request to the MOD about the Army’s role in the Jean Charles De Menezes case. The MOD has now replied refusing to answer any of the questions I asked. One of the exemptions relied on by the MOD, 44(2) looks as if it…
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Peter Taylor on De Menezes
Tonight’s special edition of Panorama is billed as the definitive account of the shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes. It looks as if it will be available online. Peter Taylor’s piece in the Guardian suggests that the role of the senior officer on the day, Commander Cressida Dick, will come in for particular scrutiny.
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From Deepcut to Basra
Arab newspapers have been drawing some interesting parallels in relation to the News of the World’s video of army brutality in Basra. The Saudi Gazette.. ..pours scorn on the idea that this was just an isolated incident caused by a few rogue elements within allied forces. “No-one, especially in the Arab world, seriously believes for…
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No action against officers in Harry Stanley case
The Independent Police Complaints Comission ruled today that there should be no disciplinary action against the two Metropolitan Police officers who shot dead Scotsman Harry Stanley in Hackney in 1999, in the mistaken belief that the wooden table-leg he was carrying was a sawn off shotgun.
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James Ashley hearing
From the James Ashley Campaign: Support the Ashley family tomorrow morning at the Court of Appeal Court room 71 East wing. 10.30am. Bring your banners Ashley family plan to sue police Relatives of a man shot dead by police eight years ago are to ask the Royal Court of Justice for permission to sue the…