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DANIEL MORGAN FAMILY
MOVE TO JUDICIAL REVIEW
UPDATED
20/05/05 |
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Private Investigator
Daniel Morgan was brutally murdered in the Golden Lion car park 18 years ago.
His family from Wales came to mark the occasion - an event we reported <here>.
Daniel's mother and
brother are once again in London to meet the Chairman of the Metropolitan
Police Authority, Len Duvall, on Thursday 19th May to raise concerns over a
refusal by Hazel Blears to order a public inquiry into police's handling of the
case. The family's MPs Roger Williams and Emily Thornbury will also attend the
meeting together with Jim Dowd, our constituency MP. |
The murder of Daniel Morgan has been the subject of
four police investigations, the latest ending in 2003. Allegations of Met
police involvement in the murder were made at an inquest in 1988. These remain
unresolved. The family say these allegations are supported by all of the
available evidence. Last year, 83 members of parliament signed an Early Day
Motion calling for a public inquiry into the case. The family say Daniel was
murdered because he intended blowing the whistle on police corruption.
Since the last inquiry, the family have forced
disclosure through the High Court of two police reports on the murder, one by
Hampshire police and one by the Met.
"It's now clear to us that the first two inquiries
were appallingly negligent and thoroughly dishonest" says Daniel's brother,
Alastair. Police conducting the last inquiry told us they were convinced that a
named officer was centrally involved in the murder, but that the evidential
opportunities lost in that inquiry were irreparable. We now know that the
Coroner's inquest was seriously misled, that vital information was withheld
from the Police Complaints Authority, that the Home Secretary Jack Straw was
misled in 1998 by senior Met officers and that parliament itself was misled in
2004.
Minister Caroline Flint told the Commons that the Met
had assured her the initial inquiry was "up to the standards of the time".
"A judicial inquiry is the only organ suitable for
dealing with this appalling mess. We have no confidence whatever in Hazel
Blears' judgement. Home Office conduct throughout this case has been
lamentable. Hazel Blears is a danger to police probity and all of the
institutions designed to safeguard this". says brother Alastair
Morgan.
The family have already begun judicial review
proceedings against the Home Secretary and will be seeking public support from
the MPA before the case comes to the High Court.
COMMENT: This case has cast a shadow over the people
responsible for policing our area. The reluctance to openly and transparently
review the case only increases suspicion and doubt. With the increasing powers
being given to the police it is essential they do all they can to ensure they
should be trusted. This is an important issue of confidence for the people of
Sydenham as well as justice for the family.
Isobel & Alastair Morgan
MEETING UPDATE
Alastair Morgan reported the meeting went well. He was
particulary pleased that all three MPs had taken time to come and support the
family at the meeting. Two TV news teams and a radio team also covered the
event.
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Jim Dowd reports:
"Len Duvall undertook to
look into the details and see what powers he has and come back in a couple of
weeks or so and possibly reconvene the meeting. I am hopeful he will, on behalf
of the Metropolitan Police Authority support our call for Judicial Review.
This, of course, a decision only the Home Office can take." |
sdg 20/05/05 |
