HC Deb 02 March 1999 vol 326 cc632-3W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will hold an independent judicial inquiry into the decision not to bring to trial the men arrested for the murder of PC Dunne in Clapham. [73684]

Mr. Boateng

I have no plans to establish an independent judicial inquiry into the decision not to bring to trial the three men arrested in connection with the murders of PC Patrick Dunne and Mr. William Danso in Clapham on 20 October 1993. Following the arrest and charging of the three men, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) sought the opinion of Treasury Counsel, who advised that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the charges of murder and conspiracy to murder. During the course of the investigation where further evidence was discovered, this opinion was re-examined by Counsel, but it was concluded that there was still insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of convictions, a conclusion accepted by the CPS and the Metropolitan Police Service.

I understand from the Metropolitan police that whilst this investigation remains an active inquiry, no new evidence has since come to light which would cause either the CPS or Counsel to reconsider their opinion. The three men originally charged were subsequently sentenced to lengthy periods of imprisonment for various serious offences of violence, blackmail and possession of firearms with intent to endanger life.