Why all the concern about the leaks? No-one is denying they are true, I notice. We are to learn all the information in due course, are we not? So this is entirely an internal disciplinary matter for the IPCC.
The clue to the real concern is the Police Federation's remark that "...the leaks called into question the organisation's ability to conduct investigations in a 'professional and independent manner'..."
In short, those under investigation are seeking to challenge the legitimacy of the investigators. Evidently they don't expect to be cleared then.
The fact remains that the only correct forum for this is a criminal court. A man has been killed and if anyone but a police officer had done it, the courts would determine guilt or innocence. This whole thing is at best a charade and at worst an attempt to ensure - by concluding guilt in a public report and slapping wrists - that the matter can never be brought to trial.
the Mail online | Mail - news, sport, showbiz, health and more | Probe sought into de Menezes leaks
Saturday, August 27, 2005
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2 comments:
"The clue to the real concern is the Police Federation's remark that "...the leaks called into question the organisation's ability to conduct investigations in a 'professional and independent manner'..."
What about the leaks of the forensic photos of the unexploded "nail" bombs found in the car at Luton railway station, which were leaked via the USA, after the July 7th attacks ? Surely that casts doubt on the competence and independence of the UK police authorities ? Where is the "leak investigation" into that incident ?
Why did Sir Ian Blair write to Sir John Gieve, the Sir Humphrey at the Home Office about trying to exclude the IPCC from the investigation ?
Why was it not already completely clear and automatic that the IPCC must be involved, if the "Operation Kratos" rules of engagement ever had to be invoked in practice ? Surely the Home Office, the various Police forces , the IPCC etc. should have agreed this when the "Operation Kratos" rules about the use of deadly force were drawn up ?
If the Police etc. were flapping about without a clear idea of what to do next, once someone had been killed under "Operation Kratos", then perhaps the relevant Home Office Minister Hazel Blears or Home Secretary Charles Clarke should resign.
It appears that a member of the IPCC staff has already been suspended, even before this "leak inquiry" was set up.
It will be interesting to see if this person sucessfully invokes the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
There are so many unanswered questions. I can't believe the media are not asking them. It's hard not to get all Oliver Stoned about this story.
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