Family's cover-up fears over death of schizophrenic held in police van

Sean Rigg, 40, a diagnosed schizophrenic, was arrested for allegedly commiting a public order offence and assaulting a police officer after he was reported "acting strangely" in Balham by a member of the public.

The musician was restrained and handcuffed by four officers at 7pm on 21 August last year.

By the time Mr Rigg arrived at Brixton police station in a van 30 minutes later he had collapsed. He was taken to King's College Hospital where he was pronounced dead about two hours later.

Neither the official post-mortem nor an independent pathology report could conclusively give the cause of death. However, the independent report, done at Mr Rigg's family's request, pointed to a "restraint-related" death, suggesting a lack of oxygen.

Mr Rigg was physically fit and healthy at the time of his death and living in a supported hostel.

An Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation is due to end next month, but Mr Rigg's sister Marcia believes it will fail to bring to account the arresting officers.

Ms Rigg, 45, a legal PA from Tooting, said: "We still don't know what happened. He was healthy. There were no drugs or alcohol in his system. Something happened in the van because Sean never made it into the station.

"It's been a year and we don't know what the IPCC is investigating - why it has taken so long. All the evidence has been there from the start. We believe it is likely there has been a cover-up. They've taken everything the police said as gospel." Ms Rigg has called for the IPCC and complaints procedure to be overhauled, accusing the body of being "flawed" and too closely aligned to the police. "There should have been a criminal investigation from the outset. When there is a death in custody officers have to be accountable. There is institutional racism," said Ms Rigg.

One major point of contention is the police claim that a CCTV camera covering the station yard which overlooked where Mr Rigg collapsed was not working at the time. The family wants cameras to be installed inside police vans.

Mr Rigg, who had been mentally ill for 20 years, left two brothers and two sisters. His family will be joined by supporters at a rally and candlelit vigil outside Brixton police station to mark the anniversary of his death. Ms Rigg said: "My brother was very intelligent and had been getting better. We were all very close. We haven't been able to grieve because we still don't know why he died."

IPCC Commissioner Amerdeep Somal said: "I know it can be frustrating for families who are dealing with grief and are understandably determined to find out how and why their loved one died.

"All the evidence will be aired in public at the inquest. It will be scrutinised by the coroner and a jury and Mr Rigg's family will have the opportunity to question witnesses. We try to share as much as possible with families but it would not be right for us to talk about details in public at this stage."