MPS `frustrations` at delays after CPS decides no prosecutions over Sean Rigg death
Britain`s biggest police force and a grieving family have united in condemning the years of waiting as a decision is taken not to bring charges against any officers over the death in custody of Sean Rigg.
Sep 16, 2016
By Nick Hudson
Britain`s biggest police force and a grieving family have united in condemning the years of waiting as a decision is taken not to bring charges against any officers over the death in custody of Sean Rigg.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) said it remains “frustrated” at the time taken to establish the circumstances around the musician`s death and the delays were “beyond the control” of the force.
Today the Rigg family said it will “urgently consider” appealing against the decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) not to bring five officers to court over the 40-year-old`s death at a London police station in August 2008.
An inquest in June 2012 found “unsuitable” force was used on Mr Rigg, who had suffered from schizophrenia for 20 years, after he was arrested for attacking passers-by and officers in Balham, London.
But the CPS said there was “insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction” to pursue charges against the arresting officers, who had been referred to them by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
Following the conclusion of a reinvestigation by the IPCC into Mr Rigg`s death, the CPS was asked to consider whether criminal charges should be brought.
In a statement, the MPS said it has “fully co-operated” with the IPCC and continues to “assess the contents” of the reinvestigation report.
One officer, Paul White, will face trial for perjury on October 31 over the evidence he gave at Mr Rigg`s inquest as the MPS confirmed that misconduct matters against any officer “will be considered in due course”.
The statement went on: “The MPS would again like to emphasise its sympathy to Mr Rigg`s family and acknowledge their loss.
The MPS knows the Rigg family and the officers involved remain frustrated at the length of the process to fully establish the circumstances surrounding Mr Rigg`s death and the MPS shares this frustration.
“The delays have been beyond the MPS` control and [we] have fully co-operated at every stage of the process.
“There has been much speculation about what took place on the night that Mr Rigg died and it remains a priority that the ongoing process is thorough and based on all the available evidence to fully establish the facts.
It added: “The police officers involved continue to be supported by the MPS to ensure their welfare.”
Lawyers for Mr Riggs family said there were “serious concerns” about the announcement by prosecutors that they will not bring charges against the officers.
Daniel Machover, solicitor for the family, said: “There are some serious concerns about the legal basis of the CPS decision.
“The family will now urgently consider reviewing it under the victims` right of review.”
Mr Rigg`s sister Marcia Rigg-Samuel said: “Today, more than eight years after my brother died, I was informed that none of the officers involved in his death will face prosecution for what happened that day.
“After a damning review of the original IPCC investigation, and a successful challenge of the decision not to prosecute an officer for perjury, I had hoped for an opportunity to get justice. ”
A spokesman for the CPS said: “Following careful consideration of the evidence provided to us, we have decided there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction against the arresting officers for offences relating to the death of Sean Rigg in 2008.
“Of the five officers referred to us by the IPCC, one, Paul White, is facing trial for perjury relating to ev