Letter from Yasmin Khan

The following is a letter sent by Yasmin Khan, to Len Duvall, Jeanette Arnold, Dee Doocey and Faith Boardman

23 July 2008

Dear Len Duvall, Jeanette Arnold, Dee Doocey and Faith Boardman

Re: MPA meeting on Stockwell Scrutiny

As MPA members responsible for the Stockwell Scrutiny document I am writing to you on behalf of the family of Jean Charles de Menezes to register a complaint at the handling of the timing of the publication of the MPA’s Stockwell Scrutiny and the lack of any attempt to involve the family or their legal representatives in the proceedings. I would like all members of the MPA to be sent this email and made aware of the families disquiet over this issue.

The Menezes family, their lawyers and campaign members were only made aware of completion and publication of the Stockwell Scrutiny publication by reading news coverage of the report in the press last Friday. This is despite a specific point being raised at the MPA meeting the family attended in November 2007 where assurances were given that the family would be kept involved and aware of the report’s progress. I have also personally made several phone calls to the MPA about this report since January 2008 asking to be kept informed and kept up to date about how the report was proceeding. It was therefore deeply disappointing to not to have been able to see an advance copy.

I would also like to register my unhappiness over the timing of its publication coming only days before the anniversary of Jean Charles de Menezes death. The family had planned two commemorative events for the anniversary in both of which they and their representatives ploughed much physical and emotional energy. As none of us were aware that the report was coming out and having already been focussed on pre-planned activities, this has made it impossible for us to properly read, examine and respond in the time that has been passed, let alone come to the MPA meeting tomorrow.

This brings me onto my final point. We were only informed that the MPA would be discussing the report at this Thursday’s meeting, this morning (Wednesday) when Sally Benton from the MPA phoned the office of Birnberg Pierce (the family’s solicitors) to ask if the family would like to attend the MPA meeting which would be discussing the Stockwell report. One day’s notice at the best of times is unacceptable but as I am sure anyone who has experienced the bereavement of a close family member will appreciate, anniversaries can be very difficult times. This bereavement has the additional burden of the family’s feeling of injustice. So given the emotional difficulty of any date that is near an anniversary, expecting the family to be in a fit state to attend the MPA meeting at one days notice where members will be discussing a report which the family and their representatives have not had time to properly digest is simply unreasonable.

The family and legal representatives of Jean Charles de Menezes will therefore not be able to attend the MPA meeting tomorrow. A representative from the family campaign, Estelle du Boulay will be attending the meeting however to report proceedings back to the family and their legal team. 

Best wishes

Yasmin Khan
Jean Charles de Menezes Family Campaign

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