03/11/2004

London's armed response officers call off protest

A protest that seriously destabilised armed police protection teams in London yesterday has been called off.

At one stage up to 130 of SO19's 400 specialists refused to carry their firearms in protest at the suspension of two colleagues who were found in an inquest to have unlawfully killed a man five years ago.

Metropolitan police commissioner, Sir John Stevens, who had himself served with SO19, personally intervened in the row yesterday. Welcoming the protest officers return to normal duties, Sir John said he was glad they had put the "safety of Londoners and their fellow officers ahead of their own concerns at this time".

An inquest last week found that Pc Kevin Fagan and Insp Neil Sharman had unlawfully killed 46-year-old Harry Stanley during an incident outside a pub in Hackney, east London. Police were called to the area following reports that a man was in the street carrying a shotgun.

On the basis of this tip off, the officers challenged and shot Mr Stanley. It turned out that the victim had in fact been carrying a table leg.

Today, Sir John conceded that armed officers did need more legal protection.

An investigation into the suspensions will now be carried out and the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents the capital's officers, will be able to make representations on behalf of Pc Fagan and Insp Sharman.

(gmcg)

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