PayPal donations

Thanks to everyone who has emailed to let us know the paypal function isn't working on the site. We know and are trying to get it fixed with paypal but it's taking much longer than expected. We'll put a note up on the website when it is working again. In the meantime if you want to donate please send a cheque - full details are in a posting lower down on this page.

Met Police announce disciplinary proceedings against officer

The family of Ian Tomlinson have welcomed the announcement today by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson that the officer who struck Ian Tomlinson before his death will face disciplinary proceedings.

Jules Carey of Tuckers Solicitors said

"The family of Ian Tomlinson welcome the announcement of Sir Paul Stephenson that PC Harwood will face disciplinary proceedings for gross misconduct. There is provision in the Police Conduct Regulations for misconduct proceedings to be held in public if it is in the public interest. There is an overwhelming argument in this case that the proceedings should be held in public. The family will be looking carefully at what the charges are, the timing of proceedings and whether they are open to the public.

Paul King said "if the officer faces disciplinary charges now, does that mean he could get away with not facing charges for the death of our dad if there is an unlawful killing verdict at the inquest? I can see how it would look nice for the police if the officer turned up to the inquest in his civilian clothes".

He added "I like to thank all the people who have sent us messages of support. It has really lifted us up and given us strength to keep going"

Launch of Campaign Fighting Fund

Many, many thanks for the hundreds of e-mails and messages of support sent to the campaign yesterday. We can't possibly respond to them individually but it is really important to Ian's family to know that they have so many people supporting them.

Campaign Fighting Fund
The family have said they are going to carry on fighting for justice but are still considering all options about how to proceed and have not yet made any decisions in terms of future legal challenges yet. As and when they do, an announcement will be made on this website so please check back often or join our mailing list. At the moment if you want to donate money, it will go towards a general campaign fighting fund which will be put towards future campaign activities on the long road ahead to justice. Some people are asking about whether there is going to be a private prosecution - if the family decide in the future to do this it will announced here and any fundraising for that will be separate and announced at the time. Thank you to everyone for their continued support and interest.

You can either donate via the paypal button on the website or send a cheque made payable to 'Ian Tomlinson Family Campaign' and send to:

Ian Tomlinson Family Campaign
c/o Newham Monitoring Project
170 Harold Rd
London E13 0SE

Eyes of the world look on with incredulity

Statement by INQUEST

EYES OF THE WORLD LOOK ON WITH INCREDULITY AS FAMILY BRAND DECISION OF DPP NOT TO PROSECUTE OFFICER WHO STRUCK IAN TOMLINSON A JOKE

Today’s decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions not to bring any criminal charges over the death of Ian Tomlinson follows a line of previous decisions when police conduct has resulted in death or serious injury and no charges were brought.

Ian Tomlinson died on 1 April 2009 in the context of a heavily-policed and high profile demonstration that generated significant public interest. The failure of the Independent Police Complaints Commission to initiate an independent investigation until seven days after the death, on 8 April 2009, led to the potential for the loss, suppression and/or distortion of crucial forensic evidence in the ‘golden hours’ following Mr Tomlinson’s death. This repeats a pattern in previous contentious deaths following police contact where the death has not been treated from the outset as a potential homicide. INQUEST believes there should be an inquiry into the role of the City of London Police, the coroner, the pathologist and the IPCC, who have all played a part in ensuring no charges were able to be brought.

Responding to the decision, Ian Tomlinson's son Paul King said,

After 16 months of waiting, to hear nothing is being done is a complete joke. Today they gave us no hope. This experience has broken our family apart. The DPP has told us there was an unlawful act, yet no charges are to be brought. This is no justice - everyone has failed us.

Deborah Coles, Co-Director of INQUEST, said:

The eyes of the world will be looking on with incredulity as yet again a police officer is not facing any criminal charges after what is one of the most clear-cut and graphic examples of police violence that has led to death.

This decision is a shameful indictment of the way police criminality is investigated and demonstrates a culture of impunity when police officers break the law. It follows a pattern of cases that reveal an unwillingness to treat deaths arising from the use of force by police as potential homicides. It demonstrates yet again the flawed procedures that follow contentious deaths involving the police and stands as testament to their unaccountability.

The family's solicitor, Jules Carey, said:

The CPS decision is a disgrace. They have accepted the officer's conduct is unlawful, but have determined not to prosecute him for anything. We shall examine this decision and challenge it if possible. There must be an inquiry into whether the failure to charge is a lack of competence or of will.

DPP Rejects Charges over Death of Ian Tomlinson

The family of Ian Tomlinson are stunned by today's decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, to bring no charges over Ian's death. Starmer's statement is available here.

The family is urging everyone who is as horrified as they are about this decision to come to the protest organised outside of New Scotland Yard at 1pm today.

A further statement from the family will be available later.