§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will request a report from the Chief Constable of Sussex Police on the action it proposes to take following the Police Complaints Authority investigation into matters arising from the murder of Richard Watson. [146123]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeI am advised by the Chief Constable of the Sussex Police that a second investigation into the murder of Richard Watson is under way but that he cannot comment on it at this stage as it might interfere with progress. I am assured that lessons from the first investigation will be learned and that new processes and procedures will be followed in the new investigation.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the findings of the Police Complaints Authority investigation into the complaint made by Linda Watson and Amanda Lord-Williams. [146126]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Metropolitan police carried out an investigation in to the complaint made by Linda Watson and Amanda London-Williams; the investigation498W was supervised by the Police Complaints Authority. I am satisfied that the investigation was thorough and that it identified properly the systemic failures which led to the shortfalls and errors in the original murder investigation. The main responsibility for the failures rested with the senior investigating officer who was found to be guilty of neglect of duty. He cannot be subject to disciplinary proceedings as he retired from the Sussex police.