Police publish Blair Peach report

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  • xman
    Admin
    • Sep 2006
    • 24007

    Police publish Blair Peach report


    A previously secret police report into the death of a protester in west London 31 years ago, is set to be released.Anti-racism activist Blair Peach died after he was hit during clashes with police officers in Southall in 1979.

    Eleven witnesses told his inquest that police officers were responsible for the teacher's death.

    The Metropolitan Police's internal report was not published at the time - but has been finally cleared for release after a review by prosecutors.

    Mr Peach, a 33-year-old teacher from New Zealand, was taking part in a demonstration against the National Front.

    The protest led to clashes with the police and he was later found with fatal head injuries.

    Mr Peach's family and supporters have long campaigned for the police's internal report - written by Commander John Cass - to be published.

    At the time, charges were ruled out after prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to take a case to trial and the force later reached an out-of-court settlement with Mr Peach's family.

    Sources close to the family who have seen the Cass report say it vindicates their view that Mr Peach was hit by one of six officers from a unit of the now disbanded Special Patrol Group.

    It is understood that the report identifies the members of that unit, but detectives who investigated the death could not establish which officer struck Mr Peach.

    The names of the officers and other witnesses have been edited from the document ahead of its publication.

    Last year, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said the report should be published after being reviewed by lawyers.


    The Crown Prosecution Service completed that review and advised Scotland Yard that charges could only be brought if there was sufficient new evidence, such as a confession.This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.


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