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Police admit race-fix case errors Police defend race-fixing inquiry
(20 minutes later)
The City of London Police has admitted making mistakes during the race-fixing investigation which ended with a £10m trial collapsing in December. The City of London Police has defended the race-fixing investigation which ended with the collapse of a £10m trial but said procedures could be tightened.
Former champion jockey Kieren Fallon and five other people were acquitted.Former champion jockey Kieren Fallon and five other people were acquitted.
But Mr Fallon's solicitor dismissed the police's internal review and said he had asked the attorney general for a full inquiry into the fiasco.But Mr Fallon's solicitor dismissed the police's internal review and said he had asked the attorney general for a full inquiry into the fiasco.
On Thursday an internal review by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) decided it had acted by the book. On Thursday a review by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) decided it had acted by the book.
Mr Fallon, jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams, businessman Miles Rodgers and two other men were acquitted of conspiracy to defraud after the judge ruled there was no case to answer.Mr Fallon, jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams, businessman Miles Rodgers and two other men were acquitted of conspiracy to defraud after the judge ruled there was no case to answer.
I am pleased to say that we got a lot of things right, including the overall direction and control of the investigation. Commander Patrick RiceI am pleased to say that we got a lot of things right, including the overall direction and control of the investigation. Commander Patrick Rice
Mr Justice Forbes said the prosecution case had failed largely because the star witness, Australian racing expert Ray Murrihy, was not an expert on British racing and his evidence had been completely undermined in cross examination.Mr Justice Forbes said the prosecution case had failed largely because the star witness, Australian racing expert Ray Murrihy, was not an expert on British racing and his evidence had been completely undermined in cross examination.
The prosecution had also played down the evidence of British racing expert Jim McGrath, who said he saw nothing wrong in any of the jockeys' riding. His comments were only disclosed at the last minute to the defence.The prosecution had also played down the evidence of British racing expert Jim McGrath, who said he saw nothing wrong in any of the jockeys' riding. His comments were only disclosed at the last minute to the defence.
Commander Patrick Rice, who led the City of London Police's review, said: "This report is the result of several months of painstaking work by the review team. We have been thorough in our efforts to identify exactly what we could have done better - or differently.Commander Patrick Rice, who led the City of London Police's review, said: "This report is the result of several months of painstaking work by the review team. We have been thorough in our efforts to identify exactly what we could have done better - or differently.
"I am pleased to say that we got a lot of things right, including the overall direction and control of the investigation. However, we have also identified some areas where we need to tighten up our processes and modify our ways of working.""I am pleased to say that we got a lot of things right, including the overall direction and control of the investigation. However, we have also identified some areas where we need to tighten up our processes and modify our ways of working."
The Operation Krypton team conducted more than 500 interviews, obtained 1,300 statements, collected 17,000 exhibits and produced 40,000 pages of evidence.
The review pointed out the decision to charge was made by the Crown Prosecution Service, having seen all the evidence.
The report said: "During the trial defence counsel made a number of suggestions that police officers acted improperly and sought to withhold evidence from the court.
Tightening procedures
"The review has found no evidence to suggest any improper conduct or deceit by any of the officers linked to this investigation. Officers involved were dedicated and professional throughout a complex, challenging enquiry, in what was unchartered territory for police investigations."
But it did make several recommendations, including:
  • The procedures in place for disclosure should be reviewed. Every effort must be made to avoid any suggestions of withholding evidence from the court.
  • The force should adopt national guidelines on the identification and appointment of expert witnesses.
  • The force should draw up a written protocol when working with regulatory bodies like the BHA.
  • The force should introduce a formal policy about how such inquiries should be funded.
  • Discussions and decisions on police officers presence at court during trials are formally recorded.
    • But Mr Fallon's solicitor, Ian Burton, told the BBC News website: "It's very difficult to treat the City of London Police's internal review at all seriously because on the day the trial collapsed Commander Rice went on television and said that it was a great shame that the judge had not let the trial continue so the jury could hear all the evidence.
    "But the fact was that the trial judge - the second most senior high court judge in the country - had seen ALL the evidence and had concluded there was no evidence of a conspiracy. I don't see the purpose of an internal review."
    He said they had referred a full dossier to the Attorney General, Baroness Scotland, and it would be months before her enquiries would be completed.