Tonight:
4°c
This time, I'm afraid, it's personal. Nick Hardwick, Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), is not delivering police accountability. He has failed to stand against bent, lying or violent coppers who abuse their positions.
Last week he claimed that there was no CCTV footage of the area where Ian Tomlinson died, an innocent passer-by who, earlier, was allegedly attacked by police during the G20 protests. The IPCC has now withdrawn that assertion. Previously, Hardwick presided over the inquiry into the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes; both the coroner's inquest and the IPCC investigation were scandalously inconclusive. No officer has been charged, nor will be.
Suresh Grover of the Monitoring Group, which supported the Lawrence family through their struggle to get justice for their son Stephen, tells me the IPCC is "one of the biggest disappointments. Nick Hardwick is a nice guy but weak." Last year at a public meeting in central London both Hardwick and I were on a panel. Most of the audience were hostile to him and the IPCC.
It is not easy to write this because Nick Hardwick is someone I have known and admired for many years. When he headed the Refugee Council, he was a man who campaigned and defended the rights of the powerless using both shrewd strategy and rousing passion. Brilliantly effective at influencing people, he made a difference to policies and politics. When Hardwick moved to the IPCC, many were optimistic that he would stop police cover- ups. But he turned safe, seeming to want to appease and not rock the boat.
Many independent-minded individuals seem to lose their edge when they come close to the police or other tough operators. They become more accommodating and less critical.
None of this is inevitable. Look at Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales. Before taking up this immense responsibility she was Director of Justice, an impressive campaigner for human rights, just like Hardwick. She remains feisty, uncompromising and forceful, taking on the Government and populists to protect the most unpopular people in our society - criminals.
It takes guts to do that. Hardwick needs to find his lost valour and sense of purpose and fast. He must show real leadership and restore the faith of the public in the IPCC.
Reader views (6)
The scandal is in the Crown Prosecution Service failure to bring charges of murder or manslaughter in the light of the IPCC Stockwell 1 Report conclusions, not (if you read all of it) in the IPCC Report itself.
- Steve Kay, Woodbridge, UK, 17/04/2009 00:05
Report abuse
The IPCC generally act to frustrate complaints not to facilitate them. The Government use them as an active part of the cover-up operation. If you don't believe me just ask the De Menezes family, or Babar Ahmad's family or countless other people who went to the IPCC for help against the cover-ups and who were frustrated.
- John, London, UK, 16/04/2009 16:15
Report abuse
Yasmi,
Tell us a 'watchdog' that ain't had it's teeth pulled over the last 12 years, and name any, bred by McLabour, that was ever born with a 'bite'?
- Dave, Cumbria, 16/04/2009 13:37
Report abuse
Ian Tomlinson was NOT an innocent passer by. He is clearly seen walking through a cleared area with his hands in his pockets. He knows the police are trying to clear the area but he just continues goading and taunting them - just as the girl at the G20 protest did. It is interesting that we never heard the sound on the Tomlinson video - probably because the police were asking him to move out of the way.
I suppose you think that sort of behaviour is OK Yasmin?
How on earth are the police supposed to keep law and order?
The liberal left are so confused and have clearly lost the plot.
- Margy, London, 16/04/2009 13:27
Report abuse
The police take grass-roots public support for granted. They should no longer.
- Bloke, London, 16/04/2009 11:16
Report abuse
Absolutely right, Yasmin...! For as long as I can remember the police have been getting away with murder - and continue to...!! And, as I'm sure you've noticed - whenever a senior officer's culpability for serious wrongdoing begins to look unanswerable - early 'retirement' of convenience is invariably rushed through...? Which - (though I fail to see why...!) - appears to confer instant immunity to any further question on the matter...!
Why is it inconceivable for an errant policeman to forfeit pension/retirement rights...?
- Joanna Jay, Walton on Thames, 16/04/2009 10:49
Report abuse
