The Government has accepted the grave concerns raised by the Inquiry regarding GMP’s fatal shooting of unarmed Anthony Grainger on 3 March 2012; and the Inquiry’s series of recommendations for widespread reform of armed policing in the UK. The response charts the progress made by policing organisations in response to the longstanding concerns arising from Mr Grainger’s death in 2012, much of it worryingly vague and painfully slow.
It also explains that a former Assistant Chief Constable of GMP, Steve Heywood will face a gross misconduct disciplinary hearing on 1 June 2020 in relation to evidence he provided to the Inquiry. Three other former members of GMP’s senior management team are currently under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) arising from evidence uncovered by the Inquiry.
Anthony Grainger’s partner, Gail Hadfield-Grainger said as follows:
“It has been almost a year since the Inquiry’s report, and over eight years since Anthony’s death, so I am relieved to finally receive a response from the Government. The response is important but words will never be enough to save lives. I intend to meet with the Minister of Policing to ensure that concrete changes are made to armed policing in this country without further delay in order to protect the public. “
Gail’s solicitor Tony Murphy of Bhatt Murphy said as follows:
“The conduct of GMP as revealed by the Inquiry is a stain on the integrity and safety of armed policing in this jurisdiction. The Government’s response accepts the need for long overdue reform, the detail of which will require anxious scrutiny in order to uphold the right to life of every citizen.”
Gail Hadfield-Grainger is also represented by Pete Weatherby QC and Fiona Murphy of counsel and supported by the charity INQUEST
Read the Government response to the Anthony Grainger public inquiry here.
Read ITV News coverage here.
