Sean Rigg Justice & Change Campaign Press Releases

Sean’s sudden and untimely death has come as a shock to the family. On 21st Aug ‘08 he was arrested and restrained by Brixton police - he died very shortly after...Why?

UNITED CAMPAIGN AGAINST POLICE VIOLENCE
office@againstpoliceviolence.org.uk - www.againstpoliceviolence.org.uk
Press: Patrick Ward 07894 49 7705
PRESS RELEASE - For immediate release
WHO KILLED IAN TOMLINSON?
PUT POLICE IN THE DOCK

United Campaign Against Police Violence urges Crown Prosecution Service to prosecute officer involved

The United Campaign Against Police Violence (UCAPV) welcomes the step forward in the investigation into the death of newspaper vendor Ian Tomlinson. As the Independent Police Complaints Commission passes its files on the investigation into the police officer seen to strike Ian Tomlinson to the Crown Prosecution Service, we hope that this case will finally come to court and that justice is done.

If the officer is charged and found guilty of Ian's death it would be the first time an officer has ever been charged with manslaughter.

Millions have now seen the footage obtained by citizen journalists of Ian Tomlinson being struck from behind by the police officer. We can only assume that the 1,200 hours of footage obtained by the IPCC from CCTV cameras in the area will give a far more detailed account of the event.

UCAPV has been part of the movement calling for justice for Ian Tomlinson, and also for the many others who have died in police custody. We recognise the efforts of the thousands who have campaigned over the death of Ian Tomlinson, and we will campaign further to ensure that there will be a thorough and fair criminal investigation into Ian's death, but also the deaths of others who have died in police custody – numbering over 1,000 since 1969, but as yet without any verdicts of murder or manslaughter against any police officer.

As we await the trial date for the officer in question, UCAPV is playing a key role in organising a memorial event for Sean Rigg, who died at Brixton Police Station in August 2008. This will take place on 21 August, more details to follow.

NOTES TO EDITORS
United Campaign Against Police Violence (UCAPV) is a coalition of protest groups, justice campaigns, political parties, civil rights groups and trade unions around the slogans: Remember Ian Tomlinson - no more deaths in police custody; Freedom to protest - defend civil liberties.

UCAPV supporters include the UCU and PCS unions, London Green Party, Labour Representation Committee, Socialist Workers Party, G20 Meltdown, Stop the War Coalition, Legal Defence and Monitoring Group, Government of the Dead, London Transport Region RMT, the Sean Rigg Justice and Change Campaign, Essex Students' Union, Sussex Students' Union, and others.

Representatives of the campaign are available for interview.
UNITED CAMPAIGN AGAINST POLICE VIOLENCE
office@againstpoliceviolence.org.uk - www.againstpoliceviolence.org.uk
Press: Patrick Ward 07894 49 7705

SEAN RIGG JUSTICE AND CHANGE - STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF IAN TOMLINSON

The family of Sean Rigg wish to express their sincere condolences to Mr Tomlinson's family over his tragic, quick and untimely death after coming into contact with the police. Our thoughts and hearts are with them at this very difficult and grief stricken time.

The Rigg family have been closely following the evidence so far with heartfelt sadness as we too, amongst many other families, are going through very similar circumstances since our brother Sean died very shortly after coming into contact with Brixton police on 21 August 2008. We know from experience that Ian's family's pain at this time is being exacerbated by the misinformation and half truths at the early stages of the investigation. Had witnesses not come forward with video footage, the investigation would have taken a very different stance. We are concerned that initially the police and the IPCC appear to have mislead the public about vital information regarding the circumstances of Ian's death.

The investigation into Ian's death requires a robust and transparent investigation as quickly as possible. The Rigg family note that Nick Hardwick, Chairman of the IPCC, has quoted recently that he pledges to seek justice for the relatives of the 47 year old newspaper seller, adding "we will be independent, we will be fast and we will be effective". The Rigg family truly hope that this will be fulfilled by the IPCC and that justice will be given to Ian's family. However, the Rigg family find it inconsistent that such reassuring statements were not forthcoming from the outset and onwards into the investigation of Sean's death, for instance it took 7 months for statements to be taken from the officer's involved in Sean's arrest, amongst many other discrepancies. The Rigg family, and many other death in custody families, have had to push and push and push the IPCC to properly investigate and gather evidence from the outset and feel that in Ian's case, it is only because of the media concerns and CCTV footage that the IPCC have no alternative but to appear to act quickly and transparently. We hope that the investigation will continue this way throughout.

The Rigg family renew their appeal for all witnesses that saw Sean's arrest on Thursday 7 August 2008 between approximately 7.15 to 7.45 pm to please come forward to contact either the IPCC or the family's solicitors, Hickman & Rose.