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Police officer left out seeing Duggan's gun from initial statement, inquest hears Police officer left out seeing Duggan's gun from first statement, inquest hears
(about 1 hour later)
A firearms officer who says Mark Duggan was carrying a gun when confronted by officers omitted that fact from his initial statement after taking legal advice, a jury has heard. A firearms officer who says Mark Duggan was carrying a gun when confronted by police omitted that fact from his initial statement after taking legal advice, a jury has heard.
The officer, known only as W70, was giving evidence at the inquest into the death of Duggan, shot by police in August 2011, after officers forced a cab he was in to stop at gun point. The officer, known only as W70, was giving evidence at the inquest into the death of Duggan, shot by police in August 2011, after officers forced a minicab he was in to stop at gun point.
W70 is one of two officers to say they saw Duggan emerge from the cab with a pistol. W70 says he was standing next to the other officer who says Duggan was armed. That officer, known as V53, fired the shots that killed Duggan, whose death triggered the worst riots in modern English history.W70 is one of two officers to say they saw Duggan emerge from the cab with a pistol. W70 says he was standing next to the other officer who says Duggan was armed. That officer, known as V53, fired the shots that killed Duggan, whose death triggered the worst riots in modern English history.
W70 told the inquest on Wednesday that when Duggan emerged from the cab he had no time to react or reach for a gun he was carrying before V53 fired two shots which whistled past his head.W70 told the inquest on Wednesday that when Duggan emerged from the cab he had no time to react or reach for a gun he was carrying before V53 fired two shots which whistled past his head.
He told the jury that Duggan pivoted after coming out of the cab: "In his hand was a self loading pistol,", W70 said, adding he could see the weapon's shape but could make out no details.He told the jury that Duggan pivoted after coming out of the cab: "In his hand was a self loading pistol,", W70 said, adding he could see the weapon's shape but could make out no details.
He said that as Duggan collapsed to the ground he could see nothing in his hands. When asked what happened to the gun he said: "I honestly don't know sir."He said that as Duggan collapsed to the ground he could see nothing in his hands. When asked what happened to the gun he said: "I honestly don't know sir."
The gun was found later on the other side of a fence some 10 to 20 feet from where Duggan fell. No officer or witness has said they saw the gun flying through the air after Duggan was shot to explain how it may have got there.The gun was found later on the other side of a fence some 10 to 20 feet from where Duggan fell. No officer or witness has said they saw the gun flying through the air after Duggan was shot to explain how it may have got there.
Later, W70 made an initial eight-line statement, in which he gave details of weapons he was carrying and their serial numbers, but made no mention of Duggan having a weapon in his hands.Later, W70 made an initial eight-line statement, in which he gave details of weapons he was carrying and their serial numbers, but made no mention of Duggan having a weapon in his hands.
Counsel to the inquest, Ashley Underwood QC, asked W70 why his first statement had "a complete omission about the gun", a theme taken up later by lawyer Leslie Thomas for the Duggan family. Counsel to the inquest, Ashley Underwood QC, asked W70 why his first statement had "a complete omission about the gun", a theme taken up later by Leslie Thomas, lawyer for the Duggan family.
W70 said he had taken legal advice from his solicitor Scott Ingram before making his initial statement. W70 said he had taken legal advice from his solicitor, Scott Ingram, before making his initial statement.
The officer said he informed his solicitor he had seen a gun, but told the inquest he did not mention it in the statement after being advised he was not expected to put any detail in his first account. The officer said he informed his solicitor he had seen a gun but told the inquest he did not mention it in the statement after being advised he was not expected to put any detail in his first account.
W70 said the manual of guidance firearms officers are governed by says "details" should be mentioned in a fuller statement to be made 48 hours later. W70 said the manual of guidance for firearms officers says details should be mentioned in a fuller statement to be made 48 hours later.
Thomas read W70 a section of the guidance governing what armed officers should do after an incident, which said the statement should include "… why, if relevant, they considered the use of force and discharge of firearms was absolutely necessary." Thomas read W70 a section of the guidance governing what armed officers should do after an incident, that said the statement should include "… why, if relevant, they considered the use of force and discharge of firearms was absolutely necessary."
W70 accepted he had been reminded of this before making the account. W70 accepted he had been reminded of this before making the account. W70 said he would have mentioned seeing a gun if he himself had opened fire, but as he had not, he omitted it. "At the time I didn't realise I was the only other person who saw the gun," he said.
W70 said he would have mentioned seeing a gun if he himself had opened fire, but as he had not, he omitted it: "At the time I didn't realise I was the only other person who saw the gun," he said.
W70 added: "I told my legal adviser that night I had seen a gun … He told me not to put in any detail."W70 added: "I told my legal adviser that night I had seen a gun … He told me not to put in any detail."
Police believed Duggan was a gangster who had collected a gun minutes before they stopped him. Police believed Duggan was a gangster who had collected a gun minutes before they stopped him. They say Duggan was shot in self-defence after threatening officers with a gun. His family say he did not have a gun when he was killed.
They say Duggan was shot in self defence after threatening officers with a gun. His family say he did not have a gun when he was shot by police.
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.
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