Current:Home > Contact-usLondon police apologize to family for unsolved 1987 ax murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan-LoTradeCoin
London police apologize to family for unsolved 1987 ax murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan
View Date:2024-12-24 00:32:36
London's Metropolitan Police apologized Wednesday to the family of private investigator Daniel Morgan, who was killed with an ax in a pub car park 36 years ago, for the force's failure to bring those responsible to justice.
The Met, which has been embroiled in a series of scandals over many years that have led to it being labelled racists, misogynistic and homophobic, admitted that its investigation had been "marred by a cycle of corruption, professional incompetence and defensiveness."
"I unequivocally and unreservedly apologize for the failure of the Metropolitan Police Service to bring those responsible for the murder of Daniel Morgan to justice," said Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley.
In addition to the apology, the Met agreed a "mutually satisfactory settlement" with Morgan's family, who brought a civil suit against the force.
No financial details were disclosed, but the payout is believed to be around 2 million pounds (about $2.6 million), according to British media.
Morgan was killed with an ax in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in southeast London on March 10, 1987.
The initial investigation was heavily criticized, with the murder scene not searched and left unguarded. Not all alibis were sought. And a subsequent investigation by another English police force was believed to have been compromised by the presence of a senior Met officer in the team.
In June 2021, an independent panel produced a scathing report accusing the Met of "a form of institutional corruption" for concealing or denying failings over the unsolved murder.
In May this year, documents relating to the inquiry into Morgan's death were found in a locked cabinet at the Met's London headquarters.
The family said in a statement that the two sides the parties were able to agree a "mutually satisfactory settlement of the proposed claims, including an admission of liability on behalf of the commissioner in respect of the conduct of his officers in response to the murder."
In its statement the Met said six extensive investigations and five forensic reviews of the case have been conducted.
"We have not given up on this case. There still remains a possibility of solving this murder," the police said. "Our work to make that happen will not stop no matter how much time passes."
A reward of 50,000 pounds (about $65,000) has been offered -- "one of the largest rewards ever made available by a UK police service," according to the Met -- for information leading to an arrest and prosecution in the case.
The apology is the latest in a string of highly damaging episodes for the U.K.'s biggest police force.
In March, a review found it to be institutionally racist, sexist and homophobic.
The report, written by government official Louise Casey, was commissioned after the kidnap, rape and murder two years ago of a London woman, Sarah Everard, by serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens.
Since then another officer, David Carrick, has also been jailed for life for dozens of rapes and sexual assaults stretching back two decades.
The Met revealed in January that 1,071 of its own officers had been or were under investigation for domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.
AFP contributed to this report.
- In:
- Police Officers
- London
veryGood! (362)
Related
- Jennifer Lopez Gets Loud in Her First Onstage Appearance Amid Ben Affleck Divorce
- Longtime GOP Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state says she will not seek reelection
- Former Olympian set to plead guilty to multiple charges of molesting boys in 1970s
- Michael Strahan's daughter Isabella, 19, shares 'not fun' health update ahead of chemotherapy
- Minnesota man is free after 16 years in prison for murder that prosecutors say he didn’t commit
- Indiana jury awards more than $11 million to Michigan man and wife over man’s amputated leg
- Miami Heat's Haywood Highsmith cited for careless driving after man critically injured
- Watch this endangered teen elephant dancing and singing in the rain at the San Diego Zoo
- Certifying this year’s presidential results begins quietly, in contrast to the 2020 election
- Will Lester, longtime AP journalist in South Carolina, Florida and Washington, dies at age 71
Ranking
- Beyoncé's Grammy nominations in country categories aren't the first to blur genre lines
- Judge: Louisiana legislative districts dilute Black voting strength, violate the Voting Rights Act
- 'Karma is the queen on the stage': Japanese fans hold 500 signs for Taylor Swift
- Cowboys to hire former Vikings coach Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator, per report
- Reese Witherspoon's Daughter Ava Phillippe Introduces Adorable New Family Member
- Usher hints at surprise guests for Super Bowl halftime show, promises his 'best'
- U.S. Virgin Islands hopes ranked choice voting can make a difference in presidential primary politics
- Tennessee authorities search for suspect in shooting of 2 sheriff’s deputies
Recommendation
-
Special counsel Smith asks court to pause appeal seeking to revive Trump’s classified documents case
-
Olivia Culpo Has the Winning Secret to Prepping for Super Bowl Weekend in Las Vegas
-
Revisit the Most Iconic Super Bowl Halftime Performances of All Time
-
Inflation is nearly back to 2%. So why isn’t the Federal Reserve ready to cut rates?
-
Eva Longoria calls US 'dystopian' under Trump, has moved with husband and son
-
In possible test of federal labor law, Georgia could make it harder for some workers to join unions
-
Trade deadline day: The Knicks took a big swing, and some shooters are now in the playoff race
-
NBA trade grades: Lakers get a D-; Knicks surprise with an A