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AN INQUIRY has been launched into the leaking of sensitive information on the
killing of Jean Charles de Menezes following police pressure on those heading
the investigation.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission, (IPCC) has appointed Bill Taylor,
formerly Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland, to investigate
how the watchdog's preliminary papers found their way into the media.
Sensitive details about the case were leaked to ITV on 16 August, including that
Mr de Menezes had not been wearing a padded jacket and had not been running when
gunned down by police, contradicting earlier claims which appeared to justify
the police mistaking him for a suicide bomber.
Yesterday the IPCC said that Mr Taylor would review the existing IPCC inquiry
into the leak and decide what action was necessary against any individuals involved
"as soon as possible".
The announcement followed the publication of letters earlier yesterday from
the Police Federation and Metropolitan Police Federation to the Home Secretary
calling for an independent inquiry into the leaks.
Alan Gordon, vice chairman of the Police Federation, called into question the
IPCC's ability to conduct investigations in a "professional and independent
manner".
In a separate move, a campaign group was set up yesterday to challenge the
government's hardline anti-terror measures. Members, including Ken Livingstone,
London mayor, and Alex Salmond, SNP leader, warned that the sweeping measures
would marginalise ethnic minorities who had condemned the 7/7 attacks.