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Former Met detective is held over axe murder 21 years ago
Justin Davenport, Evening Standard22 Apr 2008
A former Scotland Yard detective is among five men being questioned today in connection with the axe murder of a private investigator in a pub car park 21 years ago.
The five were arrested on suspicion of the killing of father-of-two Daniel Morgan who is thought to have been silenced because he was about to expose a drugs ring involving corrupt police officers. The arrests are the result of a secretive new inquiry involving evidence from two supergrasses.
One of those being held is private investigator Jonathan Rees, who was Mr Morgan's business partner in the firm Southern Investigations.
Another is former Scotland Yard detective sergeant Sid Fillery.
Mr Morgan, 37, was found dead beside his BMW car outside the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham in March 1987. An axe had been embedded in his head with masking tape entwined around the handle to conceal fingerprints.
Half an hour before his body was found he had been drinking with Rees inside the pub.
A sixth man - a 24-year-old serving police constable in Southwark - was also arrested yesterday. He was held in connection with allegations of leaking information from the inquiry.
Police have carried out five investigations into the murder but all have failed amid allegations of police corruption, some involving senior officers. Detectives describe the arrests as "highly significant".
One senior investigator told the Standard: "We have a clear picture now of exactly what happened on that night. A number of new witnesses have come forward. This is old fashioned detective work but we still have a way to go."
The latest inquiry has involved 20 dedicated detectives working from a secret south London location.
Experts have also been carrying out ground-breaking forensic work.
Mr Morgan's brother, Alastair, who has campaigned for justice, said: "It has been a long hard battle and at the moment we don't know whether anybody is going to be charged but obviously we are hopeful that this is going to be the beginning of the end. My family have kept up pressure on the investigation and I'm obviously pleased and hopeful."
Senior officers warned that there was still major work to do on the case and appealed for people to come forward.
Assistant Commissioner John Yates, who is overseeing the inquiry, said: "The one consistent theme throughout has been the astonishing determination of the Morgan family to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
"The current investigation has shown there are still people out there who have highly pertinent evidence about this case. The arrests today demonstrate the Met's continued determination to bring those responsible to justice.
"We've long said that within south London the identity of those responsible is one of the worst kept local secrets. I urge anyone with any information, however small, to get in touch with us."
The other three who were arrested yesterday were builder James Cook and brothers Glenn and Garry Vian.
A £50,000 reward still exists for information leading to a conviction for the murder. Anyone with information should call 020 7230 5925.
Reader views (1)
I thought paying for witnesses would have been discredited after the Damilola Taylor fiasco where a witness gave false evidence in return for £50,000 from the police (tax payer).
- Cath, London, 22/04/2008 16:26
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