Skip to main content

MP urges inquiry into riot deaths

A BIRMINGHAM Labour MP has backed demands for a full public inquiry into the deaths of three men in the city during the 2011 summer riots.

Shabana Mahmood described a report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) into the deaths of the men as a “failure” which had brought the victims’ families no closer to justice.

Haroon Jahan and brothers Shazad Ali and Abdul Musavir were killed after being struck by a car as they tried to defend local businesses in the Winson Green area from looters on August 10 2011.

The IPCC report found that a senior officer had been reckless in offering immunity to witnesses to the deaths.

Eight men were acquitted in July 2012 of murdering the three men after jurors at Birmingham Crown Court were told another senior officer had lied about the disclosure of evidence in the case.

In a letter to Home Secretary Theresa May, Birmingham Ladywood MP Ms Mahmood claimed the IPCC report “served no-one” due to its restricted terms of reference.

The MP wrote: “Yesterday the Independent Police Complaints Commission published its report into the West Midlands Police investigation.

“It ruled that one officer alone had acted recklessly. This officer has since retired.

“A second officer, who had been previously accused by a judge of having lied on oath, was found to have no case to answer.

“Eight men were prosecuted, but none convicted in a trial which almost collapsed because of issues with the police investigation. 

“It is clear to me that this report is a failure,” wrote Ms Mahmood.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 10,282
We need:£ 7,718
11 Days remaining
Donate today