Service pays tribute to Michael Winner
Officers have paid tribute to Michael Winner, the founder of the Police Memorial Trust, who has died aged 77.
Officers have paid tribute to Michael Winner, the founder of the Police Memorial Trust, who has died aged 77.
Mr Winner was best known as a film director, restaurant critic and star of the infamous Calm down, dear advertisements for insurance company Esure, but was remembered by many in policing for his role in establishing the Trust in 1984 in honour of officers killed on duty, following the murder of PC Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan Embassy in London.
He had been ill for a number of years and died on January 21.
Steve Lloyd, manager and vice-chair of the Police Memorial Trust, paid tribute to Mr Winners dedication and respect for police officers.
Michael had been ill for some time but this is still a sad loss, he said.
Michael was a keen supporter of police charities and in particular was the founder of the project that led to the National Police Memorial being placed in the Mall in London.
There is no doubt that Michaels work will be continued and we at the Trust pass on our sympathies to his family at this sad time. The work he did on behalf of the policing family brought a lot of comfort to those he recognised.
Steve Williams, chair-elect of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), offered his condolences to Mr Winners family and said: Michael Winner was a great supporter of the service and one who recognised the risk that police officers take every day. On behalf of the Police Federation of England and Wales, I would like to express my gratitude for the work he put into ensuring those who lost their lives while serving are never forgotten.