Officers will be granted anonymity in court if they are charged over a fatal police shooting in measures announced in the wake of an outcry over the Chris Kaba murder trial. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper unveiled plans for firearms officers facing criminal proceedings over police shootings to be granted a presumption of anonymity up until the point of a conviction.
The announcement comes after Sergeant Martyn Blake was said to have been forced into hiding after he was accused of murdering unarmed driver Mr Kaba in a police shooting.
A jury unanimously acquitted the officer after hearing the 24year-old tried to ram his way out of a police stop in Streatham, southwest London, on 5 September 2022. Sgt Blake was refused anonymity in the trial despite his lawyers arguing the officer was at risk of reprisal attacks from members of a violent London gang known as the “67”.
This story is from the October 24, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 24, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Three held after prominent Israeli rabbi killed in Dubai
Emirati police question men as Iran denies any involvement
Lab test monkeys are flown to UK 'injured and terrified'
Monkeys flown into the UK for laboratory testing were so badly injured that their crates were smeared with blood, photographs suggest.
How collapse of building firm left Labour's plans for schools and jails in tatters
Dozens of schools and prisons around England and Wales face higher bills and delays to new buildings worth billions of pounds after the collapse of one of the UK's biggest contractors. ISG, the sixth-biggest builder in the UK, collapsed in September, leaving 2,200 workers immediately redundant and many subcontractors out of pocket. At least one firm working for ISG has gone under.
Spiking drinks to be made criminal offence, says PM
Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to make spiking a drink a specific criminal offence as he demanded joint action from police and hospitality chiefs to crack down on violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Former British soldier held in Ukraine by Russian army
A British man who was fighting for Ukraine has been captured by Russian forces, according to reports.
Reeves warned 'charity tax' will hurt antisemitism fight
The Jewish Leadership Council has hit out at the so-called \"charity tax\" measures in the Budget and has warned the chancellor that the tax hikes will damage the fight against antisemitism.
Budget tax rises will hinder growth, CBI chief warns
Tax rises in the autumn Budget are undermining investment in companies, the head of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) warns.
Scores of experts lineup against assisted dying bill
Leading academic experts in the fields of health, end-of-life care and the legal system have joined together to sign an open letter opposing the assisted dying bill which MPs are due to debate on Friday.
Body found in dog walker search as Bert brings floods
A body has been found in the search for a dog walker who went missing in floodwater as Storm Bert brought nearly a month's worth of rain in less than 48 hours and winds of up to 82mph.
Cop29 deal criticised as a 'death sentence for millions'
Campaigners have hit out at a \"woefully inadequate\" financial package for developing nations agreed at Cop29 - with one charity condemning it as a \"death sentence for millions\".
