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01/06/2012
MPS Publishes report In To Corruption Allegations And The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has published the findings of a review into whether material relating to corruption allegations linked to the Stephen Lawrence murder investigation were provided to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry.
In March of this year media articles claimed that the MPS had withheld information from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry.
In order to establish with certainty what had been passed to the Inquiry the Deputy Commissioner decided to oversee an internal review by the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS).
That review has now concluded and its findings are available on the MPS website.
Officers from the DPS have examined several thousands of documents, many of which date back to the 1980s, from MPS archives as well as government archives in Kew. They also spoke to a number of serving and retired officers as well as the Junior Counsel for the MPS at the Inquiry.
No investigations, nor the Inquiry, have uncovered evidence of corruption or collusion which could have adversely affected or otherwise influenced the path of the original investigation or subsequent investigations.
The MPS disclosed all material in relation to adverse information held regarding three officers of concern (including those referenced in recent media coverage).
The material was reviewed by the Counsel for the Inquiry who reported to Lord Macpherson.
There is no other material known to be held by the MPS which suggests that corruption or collusion in any way impacted upon the initial investigation in to the murder of Stephen Lawrence.
There are no new allegations arising from the recent media coverage. Allegations or suggestions to date have already been investigated by the MPS and Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
The findings have been shared with Stephen Lawrence’s family, the IPCC and the Home Office.
Commander Peter Spindler, Directorate of Professional Standards, said: “We fully appreciate that Stephen’s family want all their questions rightly answered. We hope this review goes at least some way to address their concerns and those that have appeared in the media.
At this stage there are no new allegations or evidence that would merit further investigation however should any new information arise relating to alleged corruption in the original investigation in to Stephen’s murder it would be seriously considered.”
(GK)
In March of this year media articles claimed that the MPS had withheld information from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry.
In order to establish with certainty what had been passed to the Inquiry the Deputy Commissioner decided to oversee an internal review by the Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS).
That review has now concluded and its findings are available on the MPS website.
Officers from the DPS have examined several thousands of documents, many of which date back to the 1980s, from MPS archives as well as government archives in Kew. They also spoke to a number of serving and retired officers as well as the Junior Counsel for the MPS at the Inquiry.
No investigations, nor the Inquiry, have uncovered evidence of corruption or collusion which could have adversely affected or otherwise influenced the path of the original investigation or subsequent investigations.
The MPS disclosed all material in relation to adverse information held regarding three officers of concern (including those referenced in recent media coverage).
The material was reviewed by the Counsel for the Inquiry who reported to Lord Macpherson.
There is no other material known to be held by the MPS which suggests that corruption or collusion in any way impacted upon the initial investigation in to the murder of Stephen Lawrence.
There are no new allegations arising from the recent media coverage. Allegations or suggestions to date have already been investigated by the MPS and Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
The findings have been shared with Stephen Lawrence’s family, the IPCC and the Home Office.
Commander Peter Spindler, Directorate of Professional Standards, said: “We fully appreciate that Stephen’s family want all their questions rightly answered. We hope this review goes at least some way to address their concerns and those that have appeared in the media.
At this stage there are no new allegations or evidence that would merit further investigation however should any new information arise relating to alleged corruption in the original investigation in to Stephen’s murder it would be seriously considered.”
(GK)
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