HC Deb 04 July 2001 vol 371 cc200-1W
Mrs. Ellman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for a public inquiry into the fatal shooting of James Ashley by police on 15 January 1998; and if he will make a statement. [263]

Mr. Denham

In the debate on the Address on 27 June, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary said he hoped that with the continuing work of the Police Complaints Authority and the considerable help of the Police Authority itself, we will be able to make sense of the matter without a further public inquiry.

It will be important to ensure that all necessary lessons are learnt from this tragic incident so that the possibility of similar events taking place in Sussex or other forces are minimised.

I will want to listen to the concerns of the Ashley family, and I will be meeting them on 4 July.