HC Deb 30 January 1989 vol 146 c5W
Mr. Bernie Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis about the use of a photograph of Mr. Nigel Benn, the Commonwealth middleweight boxing champion, by the Metropolitan police in connection with trying to identify someone who had committed a criminal act;

(2) whether he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to whether there was any racist motive involved in the release of an identikit picture of Mr. Nigel Benn;

(3) whether he will set up an immediate inquiry into the release of an identikit photo of Mr. Nigel Benn; and whether he will make the findings of the inquiry public.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The Metropolitan police have accepted that the publication of the photograph was a serious mistake, and have apologised to Mr. Benn. Steps are being taken to ensure that this regrettable incident does not recur. The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has already initiated an urgent inquiry into the circumstances of the case, and he has been asked to let my right hon. Friend know the outcome.

Mr. Bernie Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions photographs of white or black persons have been used previously by the Metropolitan police to make up identikit pictures; on what dates this occurred; and what was the racial breakdown of the persons involved.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

I understand that it is not normal police practice to use photographs of particular individuals to make up identikit pictures. Standard identikit packs, comprising photographs of specific facial features, are used.

Mr. Bernie Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of printing and distributing identikit pictures of Mr. Nigel Benn.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

I understand from the Metropolitan police that it was £28.53.

Mr. Bernie Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has assessed the consequences for race relations of the sending out of thousands of identikit pictures of Mr. Nigel Benn by the Metropolitan police.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

I am confident that this regrettable error will not be seen as undermining the Metropolitan police's firm commitment to good race relations.