Greater Manchester Police Probe Unethical Behaviour

GREATER Manchester Police (GMP) is looking into claims that it gathered intelligence in August 1998 on those attending the inquiry into Stephen's death.   The head of the National Black Police Federation, Charles Crichlow, has claimed he raised concerns about the 'outrageous' request with his superiors - but said it got 'swept under the carpet'.  He said last night that he spotted the memo while he was with the GMP in Rochdale in 1998. 

Yesterday the GMP has said it is taking the claims 'very seriously' and had launched the probes 'to fully explore the legitimacy of the use of any such tactics'.
 

Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley said: 

'GMP is aware of coverage in the media which relates to the public hearings of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry that were held in Manchester in 1998. Concerns have been raised regarding a memo that was issued which is believed to have requested GMP officers to gather information on groups or individuals who were attending these hearings.'

Then we get the usual yarn from the Assistant Cheif Constable:

'Due to the length of time that has elapsed since then, efforts to locate this memo and any other related material remain ongoing. GMP recognises the need to fully explore the legitimacy of the use of any such tactics' and that 'we are taking these concerns very seriously and this matter will be fully investigated. In the meantime we will secure and preserve any information we find which may help any ongoing or future investigations. We understand that this is a very sensitive and emotive subject for all concerned and that a full investigation of the issues is necessary.'

Then we get the bland reassurances from Greater Manchester police commissioner Tony Lloyd welcoming the probes:
'Greater Manchester Police owe it to the people of Greater Manchester and, obviously, Stephen Lawrence's family, to get to the bottom of this.  It's important for GMP to establish exactly what happened.'

Added to which:
'Policing in this country has thankfully moved on since Stephen's death and the high standards we expect from police officers today make it all the more important for us to learn from the past and not to repeat its mistakes.'

Everthing is for the best now because things have moved on!