Thursday, January 9, 2014

Mark Duggan's Aunt: 'Shocked And Bewildered'

Mark Duggan's aunt has told Sky News her family will pursue a judicial review after a jury concluded he had been killed lawfully by police.

Carole Duggan said of the inquest into his death: "It must have been difficult for the jury to undergo that for three months, days in, day out so we have to give them their due in that sense.

"But it (the conclusion) wasn't right."

She said of her family: "We feel shocked, bewildered, upset, confused even", and added: "We just did not expect that result."

"We were hoping for unlawful killing but in reality we were thinking maybe an open verdict.

"But when they came back with lawful killing it was a blow to the family."

The family is planning a vigil at the weekend in Tottenham, north London, where he was shot in August 2011, to remember him.

She said: "It's a peaceful vigil to respect Mark and highlight the fact he didn't get justice."

In the days after his death, there were riots in Tottenham which spread to other areas of London and further afield to cities in England.

Ms Duggan told Sky News: "We're sick of hearing the Duggan family being linked with the 2011 uprising.

"My family had nothing at all to do with those uprisings. People that took part probably had grievances with the police."

The jury concluded on Wednesday that Mr Duggan, 29, had been killed lawfully despite not holding a gun at the time.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Met police chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has met community leaders

Jurors said they believed he had a gun with him in a taxi immediately before police stopped the vehicle but threw it over railings in the moments before he was shot by a marksman.

The conclusion of the inquest led to anger from Mr Duggan's supporters and family both inside and outside London's Royal Courts of Justice.

Ms Duggan said: "We're going to go for a judicial review. I think that's the standard practice. And from there, any avenue. We're not going anywhere. We need justice to be served."

And she was critical of the police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

She said: "If the IPCC in the beginning had done a thorough investigation, the jury may have come to a different conclusion."

David Cameron has appealed for a calm response to the inquest verdict.

The Prime Minister said he hoped people would respect the "proper judicial process" and welcomed the stance taken by Ms Duggan, who said she wanted "no more violence".

The Met is trying to rebuild trust over the controversial killing, with Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe meeting community leaders over how to improve relationships with the force.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley will appear before the Home Affairs Select Committee next Tuesday to discuss Mr Duggan's death.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.


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