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This page contains press release 25/09: Statement from Kit Malthouse, Vice Chair of the MPA.
Warning: This is archived material and may be out of date. The Metropolitan Police Authority has been replaced by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPC).
See the MOPC website for further information.
Statement from Kit Malthouse, Vice Chair of the MPA
25/09
9 April 2009
Kit Malthouse, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Vice Chair of the MPA, said:
“This afternoon I met with IPCC Commissioner Deborah Glass to discuss the independent investigation into the death of Mr Ian Tomlinson during the G20 demonstrations last week.
“During the meeting I reiterated the full support of the MPA and the Mayor for a rigorous and speedy investigation into the incident, and I offered the full co-operation of the Metropolitan Police Authority to the IPCC.
“I was specifically concerned to know that the IPCC was satisfied that senior officers of the Met had been fully co-operative with the IPCC investigation, and Mrs Glass confirmed that this was the case.
“The Met have also confirmed this afternoon that the officer involved in the incident has been suspended, and we believe that is the right course of action.
“While we await the outcome of the investigation, it is important that everyone, including the media, realises that things they say and write in the public arena must not prejudice the outcome of the investigation or indeed any criminal charges that may result.
“Aside from this tragic incident, and in order to maintain public trust in the police handling of public order events, the MPA has asked that members receive a thorough briefing about the tactics employed during the G20 protests, and I confirm that the matter will be discussed during the next meeting of the Police Authority on 30th April 2009.
“It is worth reminding ourselves that the G20 was a huge challenge for the Met, presenting a public order situation of unprecedented magnitude and in that context that it passed off largely peacefully and without significant damage to property is to be welcomed.
“However the difference between the UK and many other countries is that we take the unexpected death of every single citizen extremely seriously and it is right that we should be vigorous in our pursuit of the truth in this case.”
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