Daily Mirror 8/2/14 -Lord Stevens gives his opinion on case

by suzyjohnson 08.02.14 0:28

The former Met Commissioner has investigated high-profile deaths overseas and is aware of the hurdles Scotland Yard detectives face in Portugal

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Still missing: Madeleine McCann
As [url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/madeleine mccann]Kate and Gerry McCann have found[/url] over the past seven years, the Portuguese criminal and judicial system is very different to what we are used to at home.
So much so that they found themselves being publicly named as suspects at an early stage of the investigation to find their missing daughter Madeleine.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and provide the thorough examination of the facts and evidence that appears to have been so badly mishandled back in 2007.
It is no wonder that the Portuguese police feel vulnerable about what they have – or haven’t – done in the past.
This makes the building of a strong relationship between the new teams involved so crucial to any successful progress in this case. It has to be a partnership and not a competition to see who makes the next breakthrough.
There are some positive signs that [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] but some difficulties remain. This week, for instance, it has been reported that they were investigating different targets.
When our police work overseas they do not have the power of arrest. They can advise and make a request but it has to be carried out for them. Every move needs to be sanctioned and supported by the local force.
This can be a very frustrating and time-consuming process but needs to be followed to the letter if any breakthrough is to be achieved. It also needs to be done properly if any subsequent prosecutions are to stand the best chance of success.
Apart from the cultural and language barriers, you should not underestimate the complexity and sensitivity of our police officers working with their colleagues from overseas. That is why police officers need to be skilled diplomats when on foreign soil.
They know they will only make progress if they work with the local force and respect the way they go about their work – even if it seems to be very slow and ponderous.
As I found with [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] patience is needed by both home and overseas forces to build a partnership that can deliver results which stand the test of whichever country’s judicial system will be governing the investigation.
For example, getting some of the 600 plus evidential exhibits released for analysis back in England was just one of the obstacles we faced.
It took time, but we eventually got the agreement of the French authorities to go ahead and bring the crash car back to England.
This helped us conduct a complete reconstruction of the collision. The results proved hugely important in enabling a proper assessment to take place at the inquest in London.
But there can also be difficulties dealing with different forces closer to home.

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Exclusive: British Police officers from Scotland Yard arrive in Portugal

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During my inquiries into collusion and murder in Northern Ireland, my team came face to face with those responsible for the original investigations – some of whom had been accused of committing the crimes themselves.
It was little wonder that our work touched many raw nerves and sensitivities.
Gaining the confidence and trust of the local force, the victims and their families was crucial, while following the evidence wherever it took us.
This was not easy as we faced a concerted campaign to discredit the inquiry. It took more than 15 years and three linked inquiries to get to the bottom of what had been going on.
Determination got us through many difficult moments, including mental and physical pressures and threats.
Many courageous officers from the Royal Ulster Constabulary were keen to help us with our enquiries. However, some were very evasive and defensive.
We met walls of silence. Secret Intelligence records disappeared from files.
The safety and security of the team was forever uppermost in my mind. Especially when our offices burnt down one night. Mysteriously, the smoke alarms and heat sensors failed to go off and the telephone lines were cut.
Senior RUC officers blamed a secret unit in British military intelligence. To this day it has never been proven but I believe I know who was responsible.
As Metropolitan Police Commissioner, I was invited to send a team to Jamaica to investigate a shooting. The starting point here was gaining the support of their government for the professionals who would be doing the legwork.
The support and guidance of [url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/foreign office]the Foreign Office,[/url] our High Commissioner and his team in Jamaica was crucial to making progress.
They put us on the right track with the right connections to steer the team through the local systems and structures. All of this takes a lot of time and patience.
With crime increasingly taking on an international dimension it is essential that police officers can get co-operation from the governments and police forces of every country – not just in Europe but across the whole world.
Scotland Yard has a long history of conducting investigations overseas and they know better than anyone how to get on with their foreign partners.
That is why the Home Secretary [url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/scotland yard]asked them[/url] back in 2011 to look in to the Madeleine McCann case to try and find out what happened to her.
It might appear painfully slow, but rest assured they will be doing all they can to give the family the answers they are looking for.
If anyone can solve this case... they can.

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by Woofer 08.02.14 1:15

Lord Stevens about Scotland Yard ..........

"It might appear painfully slow, but rest assured they will be doing all they can to give the family the answers they are looking for."

They seem to have got Lord Stevens on side then sad

by Okeydokey 08.02.14 1:30

Woofer wrote:Lord Stevens about Scotland Yard ..........

"It might appear painfully slow, but rest assured they will be doing all they can to give the family the answers they are looking for."

They seem to have got Lord Stevens on side then

He met a wall of silence in Northern Ireland? What about the Tapas 9's wall of jelly: mumbling, bumbling memory loss? What about Kate McCann's refusal to answer the 42 questions?

Incredible that the guy can side so openly with Team McCann.

by Seek truth 08.02.14 5:30

Oh of course, the poor GET AWAY WITH EVERYTHING mccanns.

£6000 a day being spent because they're so much better at their jobs? Will they be putting the files online too like the intelligent portuguese did for all to see how hard they have worked? And so we can see where they went wrong? I bet not. That's not how it works over in UK is it? Will we be shown all the work the police have done or NOT? Why does its cost £6000 a day to solve the case?

Please put the files public, like the portuguese did, we have a right to know why that money is being spent, in this very important case!

by bobbin 08.02.14 8:25

Woofer wrote:Lord Stevens about Scotland Yard ..........

"It might appear painfully slow, but rest assured they will be doing all they can to give the family the answers they are looking for."

They seem to have got Lord Stevens on side then

I would like to think that Lord Stevens is a sensible and intelligent man, and his words would be to quote the McCs who want the perpetrators of the heinous crime to be found and brought to justice .
Don't we all, but I won't wait for my next breath to be reassured that that is what Lord Stevens actually means, but .... I do live in hope.
In the meantime, we'll just keep on pushing and sooner or later the authorities will have to come clean, just as they have in 'Hillsborough' because the 'people' would not let it rest, kicked under the carpet, unjustly white-washed.
Is Lord Stevens an intelligent, good and honest man ?
That is the question. (where's the icon for " I really do wonder ? ". I often find I need it. Does anyone know how to make icons ?) spin

by Guest 08.02.14 8:44

A very interestinng man is Lord Stevens

snipped

Ater the Police

On 29 June 2007, having become one of the UK’s leading security experts, in-coming Prime Minister Gordon Brown appointed Lord Stevens as his Senior Advisor on International Security Issues.

Affiliations = gives food for thought!

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Could he be another who has lways been part of Team McCann?

by watendlath 08.02.14 8:49

I think if there are any Portuguese detectives reading this , they might have quite a lot to say about it...if they haven't already said it.

As Kate and Gerry McCann have found over the past seven years, the Portuguese criminal and judicial system is very different to what we are used to at home.

So much so that they found themselves being publicly named as suspects at an early stage of the investigation to find their missing daughter Madeleine.

Could the fact have been forgotten that we decided to constitute as arguido a couple suspected of the crime of concealing a body and simulating an abduction?
...This certainty is not fed by vague assumptions, no, I base myself on facts, details, clues and evidence recorded in the official records. (Truth of the Lie)

João Tavares nods. He was one of those that defended that the parents should have been made arguidos from the beginning, but superior orders were that the parents were to be kept in a situation where they would cooperate with the police. Only results would later confirm whether this had been the right choice, or not. (A Estrela de Madeleine)

British police are now trying to play catch-up and provide the thorough examination of the facts and evidence that appears to have been so badly mishandled back in 2007.

We remind ourselves of everything that was accomplished, with a great deal of effort, rigour and honesty, and we are certain that nobody could have done better. That might seem presumptuous, but it's just fair recognition of the conscientious attitude of all the police professionals who worked on the case.

I'd say rather that the mistake was in treating the McCanns "with tweezers." From the start of the investigation, we realised that certain things did not add up and yet, they continued to benefit from favourable treatment; that's what's not normal! (The Truth of the Lie)

This makes the building of a strong relationship between the new teams involved so crucial to any successful progress in this case. It has to be a partnership and not a competition to see who makes the next breakthrough.

This witness statement from the couple, S.G. and K.G., is taken by the English police on May 16th, thirteen days after Madeleine's disappearance.
That information, very important for the progress of the investigation, was never sent to the Portuguese police.
When the Portuguese investigators learn about similar events that allegedly took place during a holiday in Greece - without, however, obtaining reliable witness statements -, they tell the English police, who, even at this point, refrain from revealing what they know on the subject.

It will only be after my removal from the investigation, in October 2007, that this statement will finally be sent to the Portuguese police. (Truth of the Lie)

There are some positive signs that the Portuguese and Scotland Yard investigative teams are working together, but some difficulties remain. This week, for instance, it has been reported that they were investigating different targets.
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PJ ? SY?

Gaining the confidence and trust of the local force, the victims and their families was crucial, while following the evidence wherever it took us.

The public in general, deeply touched by the misfortune that has befallen the family - they can all easily imagine the anxiety and pain that a mother or a father must feel in such a situation - take their side right away.
The investigator, however, cannot lose sight of his objectives. He has to devote all his efforts to the discovery of the truth in order to bring justice to the only true victim: the child. (Truth of the Lie)

This was not easy as we faced a concerted campaign to discredit the inquiry. It took more than 15 years and three linked inquiries to get to the bottom of what had been going on.

Most of the Portuguese media reported the events, published new information about the case, and fulfilled its informative role, at the end.
In Great Britain, things were done another way.
Most of the English journalists, with their media under the control of higher powers, provoked national reactions with less favorable comments about the Portuguese populations and its institutions, using literally anything to make three main notions prevail: that Madeleine had been abducted during her sleep; that the parents were completely innocent of anything that was related to that; that the Policia Judiciaria was composed of a band of incompetent drunks, who didn’t know the first thing about criminal investigation. (A Estrela de Madeleine)

Determination got us through many difficult moments, including mental and physical pressures and threats.
Many courageous officers from the Royal Ulster Constabulary were keen to help us with our enquiries. However, some were very evasive and defensive.
We met walls of silence. Secret Intelligence records disappeared from files.

The medical files, requested several times from Great Britain were never sent to us. These could have been deciding factors. Why didn't we have access to them? (Truth of the Lie)

When someone has the duty to inform the other citizens about certain events of public life, one cannot take sides with anyone. Opinions can not, or rather should not, be manipulated to serve someone’s interest. Those are the general principles of information, but their practice reveals itself quite different. This case was the perfect example for that. (A Estrela de Madeleine)

It might appear painfully slow, but rest assured they will be doing all they can to give the family the answers they are looking for.
If anyone can solve this case... they can.

The Portuguese can have the last word...

For Francisco, everything fits, but all other possibilities have to be discarded first.
This should be the last one, as it is the most difficult and the most hideous one: the participation of the parents in the disappearance of their daughter. As a father, he finds it hard to believe, but statistics support the possibility.

While it seems the most simple hypothesis to him, Francisco knows it will be the one that may become the most difficult to investigate and to prove
(A Estrela de Madeleine)

by suzyjohnson 08.02.14 10:02

Interesting post Watendlath, although I'm not certain we are allowed to quote from Amaral's book in the Uk.

As for Lord Stevens I doubt he's even read any of the information relating to the McCann case, he's just convinced that the British police know better than everyone else.

It's surprising really that the Portuguese have had so little to say about the way they have been treated by the British in regard to this case, and I hope one day they do speak out about it.

by Woofer 08.02.14 10:03

Excellent post watendlath thumbsup

by watendlath 08.02.14 11:30

Thank-you both.
Hope I didn't break any rules. smilie

by Doug D 08.02.14 11:41

‘As for Lord Stevens I doubt he's even read any of the information relating to the McCann case, he's just convinced that the British police know better than everyone else’.

Suzy J, you’re not insinuating he lets the Mirror print articles under his name just for the money are you!?!

Whatever next. He’ll be advertising conservatories & double glazing (or was it him that’s done that already?)

by stillsloppingout 08.02.14 12:09

Doug D wrote:‘As for Lord Stevens I doubt he's even read any of the information relating to the McCann case, he's just convinced that the British police know better than everyone else’.

Suzy J, you’re not insinuating he lets the Mirror print articles under his name just for the money are you!?!

Whatever next. He’ll be advertising conservatories & double glazing (or was it him that’s done that already?)

No that Was John Stalker .

And to his credit, he is one of the few who immediately saw through the charade , and was brave enough to put his opinion on record .

He said something along the lines of they [ McCann's ] are hiding a big secret .

by Swannie 08.02.14 12:31

"It might appear painfully slow, but rest assured they will be doing all they can to give the family the answers they are looking for.
If anyone can solve this case... they can."

Totally agree - if the last line refers back to the family! .

by suzyjohnson 08.02.14 12:33

Doug D wrote:‘As for Lord Stevens I doubt he's even read any of the information relating to the McCann case, he's just convinced that the British police know better than everyone else’.

Suzy J, you’re not insinuating he lets the Mirror print articles under his name just for the money are you!?!

Whatever next. He’ll be advertising conservatories & double glazing (or was it him that’s done that already?)

I don't know anything about Stevens really, it just doesn't seem as though he actually knows the anything about the case.

by jeanmonroe 08.02.14 13:20

British police CAN still solve Madeleine McCann mystery despite the problems of working with foreign forces

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Impliciitly, subliminally?, inferring that the Portuguese police CAN'T and only the British Police CAN solve the Madeleine McCann 'mystery'.

I wonder if Stevens will be getting Farter Cucked for saying the 'totally without evidence, abduction' of Madeleine McCann is a 'mystery'?

A possible scenario, aimo,

Judge in Lisbon: "So Lord Stevens, you are a witness for Gerry and Kate McCann?"

LS: "I am your honour, the poor lambs"

Judge " Have you read the PJ files or GA's book or seen TV documentary opposing the McCanns 'thesis'?"

LS: " Actually no, not anything actually. I am here because the McCanns TOLD me their daughter had been 'abducted'"

Judge: Hmmmm.

by jeanmonroe 08.02.14 13:44

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Former Met Boss Slams McCann Investigation
8:22am UK, Sunday 21 October 2007
Kate and Gerry McCann are the victims of a "witch hunt", Britain's former top police officer has said.

Former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens also said there was no evidence to suggest the couple murdered their daughter Madeleine.

Writing in the News Of The World, Lord Stevens lambasted the "sheer inadequacy" of the Portuguese police investigation, which he said had failed to produce any hard evidence.

He added there was "absolutely no chance" Mr and Mrs McCann would face charges for their daughter's murder in Britain.

"It would be an outrageous miscarriage of justice if they were charged with her murder in this country," Lord Stevens said.

"I've been a detective at the most senior level for 30 years and have never seen such a witch hunt, or one based on such flimsy evidence."

Lord Stevens, who retired as Metropolitan Police commissioner in 2005, said Portuguese police should have immediately treated the McCanns as the prime suspects.

"That police error has become their tragedy now," he added. "If they had been properly investigated back then they may well have been cleared."

During his five-year term as Met commissioner, Lord Stevens headed inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of Wales and alleged football bungs.

He was widely credited with transforming morale at Scotland Yard following the the Macpherson report into the Stephen Lawrence murder.
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Nothing 'new' here then in the Mirror by Stevens!

He was already 'at it ' (defending McCanns) 6 years 3 months ago!

He added there was "absolutely no chance" Mr and Mrs McCann would face charges for their daughter's murder in Britain.

"It would be an outrageous miscarriage of justice if they were charged with her murder in this country," Lord Stevens said.

How very 'hurtful and unhelpful' for his quotes on ' they were charged with her MURDER' and 'their daughter's MURDER'!

by sallypelt 08.02.14 13:47

jeanmonroe wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Former Met Boss Slams McCann Investigation
8:22am UK, Sunday 21 October 2007
Kate and Gerry McCann are the victims of a "witch hunt", Britain's former top police officer has said.

Former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens also said there was no evidence to suggest the couple murdered their daughter Madeleine.

Writing in the News Of The World, Lord Stevens lambasted the "sheer inadequacy" of the Portuguese police investigation, which he said had failed to produce any hard evidence.

He added there was "absolutely no chance" Mr and Mrs McCann would face charges for their daughter's murder in Britain.

"It would be an outrageous miscarriage of justice if they were charged with her murder in this country," Lord Stevens said.

"I've been a detective at the most senior level for 30 years and have never seen such a witch hunt, or one based on such flimsy evidence."

Lord Stevens, who retired as Metropolitan Police commissioner in 2005, said Portuguese police should have immediately treated the McCanns as the prime suspects.

"That police error has become their tragedy now," he added. "If they had been properly investigated back then they may well have been cleared."

During his five-year term as Met commissioner, Lord Stevens headed inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of Wales and alleged football bungs.

He was widely credited with transforming morale at Scotland Yard following the the Macpherson report into the Stephen Lawrence murder.
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Nothing 'new' here then in the Mirror by Stevens!

He has no faith in the findings of the dogs them? Or does he only believe in them when it suits him?

by Guest 08.02.14 13:51

sallypelt wrote:
jeanmonroe wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Former Met Boss Slams McCann Investigation
8:22am UK, Sunday 21 October 2007
Kate and Gerry McCann are the victims of a "witch hunt", Britain's former top police officer has said.

Former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens also said there was no evidence to suggest the couple murdered their daughter Madeleine.

Writing in the News Of The World, Lord Stevens lambasted the "sheer inadequacy" of the Portuguese police investigation, which he said had failed to produce any hard evidence.

He added there was "absolutely no chance" Mr and Mrs McCann would face charges for their daughter's murder in Britain.

"It would be an outrageous miscarriage of justice if they were charged with her murder in this country," Lord Stevens said.

"I've been a detective at the most senior level for 30 years and have never seen such a witch hunt, or one based on such flimsy evidence."

Lord Stevens, who retired as Metropolitan Police commissioner in 2005, said Portuguese police should have immediately treated the McCanns as the prime suspects.

"That police error has become their tragedy now," he added. "If they had been properly investigated back then they may well have been cleared."

During his five-year term as Met commissioner, Lord Stevens headed inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of Wales and alleged football bungs.

He was widely credited with transforming morale at Scotland Yard following the the Macpherson report into the Stephen Lawrence murder.
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Nothing 'new' here then in the Mirror by Stevens!

He has no faith in the findings of the dogs them? Or does he only believe in them when it suits him?

Just what I was going to say. They weren't those pesky sardine munching Portuguese dogs either - they were UK dogs!

by sallypelt 08.02.14 13:55

candyfloss wrote:
sallypelt wrote:
jeanmonroe wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Former Met Boss Slams McCann Investigation
8:22am UK, Sunday 21 October 2007
Kate and Gerry McCann are the victims of a "witch hunt", Britain's former top police officer has said.

Former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens also said there was no evidence to suggest the couple murdered their daughter Madeleine.

Writing in the News Of The World, Lord Stevens lambasted the "sheer inadequacy" of the Portuguese police investigation, which he said had failed to produce any hard evidence.

He added there was "absolutely no chance" Mr and Mrs McCann would face charges for their daughter's murder in Britain.

"It would be an outrageous miscarriage of justice if they were charged with her murder in this country," Lord Stevens said.

"I've been a detective at the most senior level for 30 years and have never seen such a witch hunt, or one based on such flimsy evidence."

Lord Stevens, who retired as Metropolitan Police commissioner in 2005, said Portuguese police should have immediately treated the McCanns as the prime suspects.

"That police error has become their tragedy now," he added. "If they had been properly investigated back then they may well have been cleared."

During his five-year term as Met commissioner, Lord Stevens headed inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of Wales and alleged football bungs.

He was widely credited with transforming morale at Scotland Yard following the the Macpherson report into the Stephen Lawrence murder.
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Nothing 'new' here then in the Mirror by Stevens!

He has no faith in the findings of the dogs them? Or does he only believe in them when it suits him?

Just what I was going to say. They weren't those pesky sardine munching Portuguese dogs either - they were UK dogs!

Another little snippet of information that's worth reminding ourselves:

"On 29 June 2007, having become one of the UK’s leading security experts, in-coming Prime Minister Gordon Brown appointed Lord Stevens as his Senior Advisor on International Security Issues"
I have no doubt that it's just another coincidence. Now' c'mon you lot, don't be so cynical titter

by jeanmonroe 08.02.14 14:11

During his five-year term as Met commissioner, Lord Stevens was widely credited with transforming morale at Scotland Yard following the the Macpherson report into the Stephen Lawrence murder.
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Well THAT worked a treat then....................NOT!

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The revelation comes a day after the Guardian revealed that Peter Francis, a former Met officer turned whistleblower, was asked to dig for "dirt" on the family of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence. The revelation provoked anger across the political spectrum, led by the prime minister.
David Cameron promised an investigation into what he called the "absolutely disgraceful" disclosure that police sought to discredit the Lawrence family in the weeks after their loved one was stabbed to death by a racist gang.
"To hear that, potentially, the police that were meant to be helping them were actually undermining them – that's horrific," Cameron said.

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FAUX SHOCK HORROR!

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The TRUTH!

All those pesky new Met Comissioners 'undoing' all of Lord Stevens great 'work'!

by sallypelt 08.02.14 14:16

jeanmonroe wrote:During his five-year term as Met commissioner, Lord Stevens was widely credited with transforming morale at Scotland Yard following the the Macpherson report into the Stephen Lawrence murder.
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Well THAT worked a treat then....................NOT!

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The revelation comes a day after the Guardian revealed that Peter Francis, a former Met officer turned whistleblower, was asked to dig for "dirt" on the family of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence. The revelation provoked anger across the political spectrum, led by the prime minister.
David Cameron promised an investigation into what he called the "absolutely disgraceful" disclosure that police sought to discredit the Lawrence family in the weeks after their loved one was stabbed to death by a racist gang.
"To hear that, potentially, the police that were meant to be helping them were actually undermining them – that's horrific," Cameron said.

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FAUX SHOCK HORROR!

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The TRUTH!

All those pesky new Met Comissioners 'undoing' all of Lord Stevens great 'work'!

If Andy Redwood solves this case, he's going to be made a saint. I will personally write to the Pope, myself Mrs

by jeanmonroe 08.02.14 14:28

sallypelt:
"If Andy Redwood solves this case, he's going to be made a saint. I will personally write to the Pope, myself"
________________________________________________

Rome, even now, will be preparing itself to receive you!

ps: Don't forget to take your own butterfly to place on your head before your 30,000 people 'private audience' with him recommending Andy for the Process of Beatification and Canonization!

by lj 08.02.14 14:37

Yes, articles like this make that my mind still says: it's a whitewash.

The parents don't need answers, they have them.

by jeanmonroe 08.02.14 14:56

The big question for me is, WHY has Stevens been dragged out to 'comment' today?

Knowing full well there is a 'live' libel trial taking place.

As a very ex policeman, you'd think he would know better, than to say anything that could be seen to be prejudicial to a court case, wouldn't you?

Shades of Cameron saying how great Nigella was whilst her recent appearance as a witness in recent court was in progress?

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Bet he feels STUPID now, that she has admitted, publicly, to taking class A drugs on numerous occasions!

Still, i'm sure there will be another Bandwagon along shortly for him to 'jump on'!

by ChippyM 08.02.14 15:23

This Lord Stevens led the Diana enquiry and concuded it was a case of 'nothing to see here, everyone move along please'. That says it all in my opinion.

by tiny 08.02.14 15:25

The mccanns seem to have a lot of dubious people on their side,i wonder why thinking

by nglfi 08.02.14 15:29

Does anyone know anything about the history/affiliations of Andy Redwood? Aside from that he was involved in the wrongful charging of Barry George? If this Lord Stevens is writing this article in all seriousness, then he either obviously doesn't know anything about the case or is involved in the whitewash. Interesting to see too that he has connections to good ol' Gordon. But what are AR's connections? Does he have any links with the Labour party? I think this might seriously impact on the case potentially.
The Portuguese will always be approaching this case from the correct angle, but they can only do so much if SY still refuse to hand over vital documents. Hopefully nothing has stopped AR from doing so and the Portuguese are in possession of all the facts/documents they need. I'm hoping he can hardly have flown over to Portugal to make requests and still be refusing to co operate with what the PJ want??

by rustyjames 09.04.15 22:16

This seems to be the most appropriate place for this ... [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Stephen Lawrence murder: IPCC investigating former Met chief

24 minutes ago
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Lord Stevens was Deputy Commissioner of the Met from 1998 to 2000 - while the Macpherson report was being compiled
Former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens is being investigated by the police watchdog over information he gave to the inquiry into the Met's handling of the Stephen Lawrence murder case.

The IPCC confirmed it was investigating the evidence Lord Stevens gave to the Macpherson Inquiry in 1998.

The Met said it referred the matter to the IPCC following a public complaint.

Lord Stevens has previously denied any wrongdoing.

He was Deputy Commissioner of the Met from 1998 to 2000, while the Macpherson report - which found evidence of institutional racism within the force - was being compiled.

It was ordered following concerns about the force's investigation into the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence, who was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack by a gang of white youths in April 1993.

In a statement the Met said: "Following the receipt of a public complaint in relation to Lord John Stevens, former commissioner, the Metropolitan Police Service made a referral to the Independent Police Complaints Commission on 4 November 2014.

"The complaint has been made in relation to Lord Stevens' role as the then Deputy Commissioner and disclosure to the Macpherson Inquiry.

"This issue was raised in the Stephen Lawrence Independent Review by Mark Ellison QC, published on 6 March, where he concluded there were defects in the level of information that the MPS revealed to the Inquiry."

by jeanmonroe 09.04.15 23:21

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TYPICAL cop response!

Stevens: "Step very carefully, I'm not putting up with any more crap about this" he said.

"STEP VERY CAREFULLY"

GET YOUR 'THREAT' IN EARLY! THE EARLIER THE BETTER!

Just to add; If you use/used the word 'crap' within earshot of a police officer, you can be 'arrested' for 'using foul and abusive' language!