Release of suspected police killer is a 'disgrace'
Police Federation of England and Wales
The news that a man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder WPC Yvonne Fletcher has been released from police bail, and enquiries concluded, has been met with disdain by the Police Federation of England and Wales.
Metropolitan WPC Fletcher was murdered outside the Libyan Embassy in 1984 in a crime that shocked the nation.
Thirty-three years on the Met Police confirmed today that while their investigation has produced enough material to identify those responsible, key material could not be made available for use in court in evidential form for reasons of national security. As a result the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advised that there is insufficient admissible evidence to charge the man.
Steve White, Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales said: “Can the law really be fit for purpose when it protects those responsible for killing someone charged with keeping us safe?
“The Metropolitan Police have been scrupulous in their efforts to bring Yvonne’s killer to justice but this will look to many like people can quite literally get away with murder, it’s a disgrace.
“We will never forget Yvonne or any of those that pay the ultimate sacrifice.”