Blair Peach 'Likely' to Have been Killed By Police

Anti-racist activist died after demo in Southall in 1979

Blair Peach was likely to have been killed by a police officer according to a report published by Scotland Yard today.

The 33-year-old teacher from New Zealand, was taking part in a demonstration against the National Front in Southall in 1979 when he was hit during clashes with the police. He was later found with fatal head injuries.

The previously secret report attaches "grave suspicion" to an officer, who it says may also have been involved in a cover-up along with two colleagues.

Mr Peach's family have long campaigned for the report - written by Commander John Cass - to be released.

His partner, Celia Stubbs, said the report "totally vindicated" what the family had always believed.

The Cass report does not name any of the implicated officers, but said six were on board a van belonging to the now disbanded Special Patrol Group identified as carrier U.11.

It said there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone over the death but recommended action for perverting the course of justice for three officers, and there was "grave suspicion" over one of them, only identified as "Officer E

A Met statement said: "We have gone to great lengths to ensure that all investigative options currently available have been exhausted.

"To this extent the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has provided us with independent advice stating that there is nothing which would currently justify carrying out a further investigation."

The Metropolitan Police said no officers would face further action.

April 27, 2010