Five years on from the death of Jean-Charles de Menezes

and no justice for Ian Tomlinson :


LRC Press release:

No justice as police exonerated again


Ian Tomlinson died at the G20 protests on 1st April 2009. Today is also the 5th anniversary of the shooting by armed officers of Jean-Charles de Menezes. It has taken the CPS nearly a year to publish this report; their reasons are that it’s a “difficult and complex case”... Understandably the family of Ian Tomlinson was greatly concerned by the lengthy investigation fearing a cover-up and the impact this whole process has had on their lives. In April 2010, John McDonnell and leading civil liberties campaigners, MEPs and trade unionists wrote a letter to the Guardian to express their “growing concerns” about the investigation.

Today’s announcement illustrates that the police are a law unto themselves. Ian Tomlinson died in an unprovoked savage attack exposed on video yet that is not enough for the CPS to seek prosecution. Where is the justice for Ian Tomlinson’s family - who have described the decision as a “disgrace”?

John McDonnell MP, LRC Chair, said:

“Given the stark nature of the video evidence it is hard to understand the CPS’s findings. An independent public inquiry is warranted.”

Andrew Fisher, LRC joint secretary, said:

“Today’s incomprehensible decision is a stark reminder - on the fifth anniversary of the murder of Jean Charles de Menezes - that too often the police are placed above the law. The campaign for justice for Ian Tomlinson will continue, just as it has for Jean Charles de Menezes and for Blair Peach - and the LRC will continue to support these campaigns.”


More info at the Inquest website.

PRP For The Old Bill? No Thanks!

The Daftest Idea I've Heard In A Long time award goes to the 'think-tank' that has recommended performance-related pay for the police.

PRP is a crap idea anyway - its criteria are necessarily arbitrary and/or unfair; workers who don't put in unpaid extra hours or kiss management arse don't get the dosh; it encourages division, bitching and back-stabbing amongst workers who would get a better deal if they stuck together; and in any case, we don't have performance-related bills or mortgages, do we?

But for the police - double bad. What will it be? A PRP bonus for the number of arrests or crimes solved? So the cops come upon a 'disturbance' - say a heated argument in public or a picket line - and with their eyes on the next pay packet, it is in their interests to nick everyone in sight. And if they haven't got enough collars for this month's target, then how about a trip to the local cruising ground to create some victimless crimes to bump up the figures? I could go on and on, but really the dangers of this should be obvious to everyone, let alone people awarding themselves the title 'think'-tank'.

And which 'tank' has come out with such nonsense? Why, it's the Institute for Public Policy Research, labelled by the press reports as a 'left-wing' body. Left-wing, my arse.

Look Who's Backing Cops And Tyrants

Just as the verdict in the killing of Jean Charles De Menezes (pictured) rightly condemns police brutality, guess who is rallying to the defence of the long arm of the law?

Ken Livingstone.

And, whilst mouthing some criticisms of the Saudi regime, Ken is apparently hosting a banquet for the visiting Saudi royal (update: this may not be true - see comments box).

Anyone still think he's left wing?