HC Deb 05 May 2004 vol 420 c1552W
Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether public funds will be available to any of the eight police officers for their possible appeal against the inquest verdict that the death of Mr. Roger Sylvester in custody was an unlawful killing. [169891]

Ms Blears

The Court of Administration has now approved the application for a full Judicial Review of the verdict of unlawful killing reached by the inquest into the circumstances surrounding Roger Sylvester's death.

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) has agreed to pay the officers' legal costs arising from the Judicial Review but only if it can also fund relevant costs to the Sylvester family. This matter is to be considered at an MPA meeting on 7 May 2004.