Criminal Justice

Dear John Hemming MP

I/We support this petition from the Family of Mikey Powell who died in the custody of Birmingham police, The United Families & Friends Campaign and 4WardEver UK.

I/We reject the Prime Ministers response to a previous petition on the Number10 e-petition website against deaths in custody and the treatment of affected families, and would like this issue relayed to the Prime Minister again.

One might have thought that given the recent examples of blatant brutality by G20 police, and the fact that an innocent bystander, Ian Tomlinson, died as a result of that brutality; any response from the Prime Minister might have been more considered and responsive to ALL the demands the petition set out.

One might also have thought that following a damning verdict at the recent inquest of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Prime Minister’s response would have been reflective of the public mood which was embodied in those inquest jurors whom made a brave and measured judgement based on the real facts previously hidden from public scrutiny.

Perhaps this type of poor response is what the public have come to expect from the Labour government.

Some of the points we feel that the Prime Minister DID NOT respond to:

* Officers involved in custody deaths are suspended until investigations are completed.
* Police forces are made accountable to the communities that they serve.
* Legal Aid and full disclosure of information be made to the relatives of the victims.
* Officers and staff responsible for deaths should face criminal charges, even if retired.

Wasn’t the idea of the petition site of No10 to give citizens an opportunity for answers to their concerns…. Has the Prime Minister missed the point?

The governments claim, quoted below, is a far cry to the experiences of families following a death in custody, and rings extremely shallow for the 500+ people who signed the original petition:

“More generally, the Government seeks to help the families of those who die in state custody through the provision of timely, sympathetic information and support.”

We want genuine action taken to address the demands originally set out.
All citizens have rights, especially those in custody who are effectively in the care of the state.

4WardEver UK
supporting campaigns for justice

[Your name here]