To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there are aware of any plans to bring prosecutions
in respect of the deaths of (1) Azelle Rodney, (2) Jimmy Mubenga, (3) Christopher
Alder, (4) Sean Rigg, (5) Habib Ullah, (6) Ricky Bishop, and (7) Anthony Grainger;
and what assessment they have made of the ability of the Crown Prosecution Service
to pursue prosecutions in cases involving deaths in custody or during police operations.
<p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has robust processes for dealing with cases
involving deaths in custody or in contact with police which follow the requirements
of the then Attorney General's "Review of the Role and Practices of the CPS in
Cases Arising from a Death in Custody 2003".</p><p>All death in custody cases
are dealt with by the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division to ensure consistency
of approach and that they are dealt with by lawyers with the necessary skills and
experience. Only very experienced senior lawyers, who are specifically designated,
are permitted to review death in custody cases. The reviews carried out by the senior
lawyer in cases involving deaths in custody are examined by their line manager and
then by the Head of Special Crime & Counter Terrorism Division (or her Deputy).
They are then submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for final approval.
In any case where the decision is not to proceed, unless the DPP is satisfied that
it is "plain beyond doubt" that there is no case to answer, experienced
external counsel will be instructed to advise.</p><p>The status of the specified cases
is as follows:</p><p>(1) Azelle Rodney: Following the publication of the report of
Sir Christopher Holland in relation to his inquiry Mr Rodney's death, the IPCC wrote
to the Director of Public Prosecutions to ask that the CPS review the case. This review
is underway and the CPS is working with the IPCC in order to determine whether any
further investigation is required. Once the CPS is satisfied that it has received
a full file, it will consider whether charges should be brought.</p><p>(2) Jimmy Mubenga:
prosecutions were announced on 20 March 2014.</p><p>(3) Christopher Alder: prosecutions
took place in 2002 – all defendants were acquitted.</p><p>(4) Sean Rigg: The CPS has
provided investigative advice to the IPCCin relation to allegations of perjury. A
charging decision has not been requested.</p><p>(5) Habib Ullah: The CPS has received
a full file and is considering whether charges should be brought.</p><p>(6) Ricky
Bishop: Mr Bishop died in 2001. The case has not been referred to the CPS within the
last 3 years.</p><p>(7) Anthony Grainger: a prosecution was announced on 16 January
2014.</p><p> </p>
