HC Deb 26 January 1999 vol 324 cc194-5W
Mr. Efford

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the reasons for the length of time taken between the initial report of the Police Complaints Authority into the police investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence and the decision of the PCA on what disciplinary action to take against officers still serving in the Metropolitan Police. [66477]

Date Events
22 April 1993 The murder of Stephen Lawrence
13 February 1997 Complaint from Mrs. Lawrence received by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and referred for investigation to the PCA.
18 March 1997 Kent County Constabulary agreed as investigating force. (Deputy Chief Constable Robert Ayling—Senior Investigating Officer, Chief Superintendent David Clapperton—Investigation Officer).
29 September 1997 First contact between the Lawrence family and Kent Constabulary with the Police Complaints Authority.
1 December 1997 The Authority's report made to the Home Secretary under section 97(2) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act issued to Parliament and the public.
30 December 1997 Statutory statement of satisfaction with the investigation issued by the PCA. Formal conclusion of the investigation.
2 February 1998 Memorandum from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) under section 90 of the Act received by PCA. This memorandum contains the recommendations of the force as to disciplinary outcomes of the investigation.
10 March 1998 PCA responds to MPS recommending charges of Neglect of Duty against DI Bullock and other informal disciplinary recommendations.
12 March 1998 Lawrence family informed of recommendations DI Bullock made aware of charge.
16 March 1998 Sir William Macpherson requests further action in disciplinary proceedings be delayed until his inquiry concludes Part 1.
May/June 1998 Correspondence/meetings between MPS and PCA as to whether MPS could respond to the PCA's recommended charges before or after the conclusion of Part 1 of the Macpherson Inquiry.
6 July 1998 Agreement reached that MPS would now respond to PCA recommendations in view of the completion of Phase 1 of the Macpherson Inquiry.
20 July 1998 MPS formally accepted charges in principle against DI Bullock.
21 October 1998 MPS respond with proposed charges against DI Bullock having taken counsel's advice.
November/December 1998 PCA recommended that further charges from MPS were insufficient to cover alleged matters of neglect by DI Bullock.
Correspondence/discussion re further suggested charges. PCA decided to prepare detailed charges rather than accept MPS proposals.
4 January 1999 Final suggested charges submitted to MPS by PCA.
7 January 1999 Detailed charges, now 7 in number, accepted by MPS.
12 January 1999 PCA Press release announcing the number of charges and the direction that they will be heard by tribunal.