"And of course, the information society's
very life blood is freedom. It is freedom that
enables citizens everywhere to benefit from
knowledge, journalists to do their essential
work, and citizens to hold government
accountable. Without openness, without the
right to seek, receive and impart information
and ideas through any media and regardless
of frontiers, the information revolution will
stall, and the information society we hope to
build will be stillborn."
Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General
Kevin McLeod
On 9th February 1997 24yr old Kevin's body was found in Wick Harbour.
The assumption that Kevin had drowned was communicated to Kevin's parents by officers of Northern
Constabulary before his body was recovered and the result of an autopsy were known........more..(updated 03/2007)...(updated 06/2007)
Annie Davies
84 year old Annie's body was found behind the open door of
her flat in Erskine in May 1998. Her handbag, purse and her set of
house keys were never found.......more..
John Peacock
On arrival at his flat in Paisley at 23:12 hours on 6th February
2006 two paramedic crews found 37 year old John lying on his back on the living room floor.
He had obvious head wounds.......more..
Editorial
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION;
APPLICATION No. ONE.
Here's the story.
I applied under the FOI Act for two report's submitted by Strathclyde Police
to the Procurator Fiscal relating to the death of my mother. For eight years I have been led to
believe that the first report claimed it could find no criminal activity surrounding this death,
and concluded Annie Davies' death was nothing more than the result of a tragic accident.
This report convinced two successive Lord Advocates, two Ministers for Justice, Crown Office and
the Procurator Fiscal Service. This report did not carry a crime report number. No less than 17
senior police officers over a period of eight and a half years have "reviewed" my mother's death
and have found nothing to alter the findings of this report. Just last year a senior police
officer insisted at the Criminal Injuries Compensation Hearing that my mum's death was just a
tragic accident.
So what changed since I applied for this report?
The police have advised the Scottish Information Commissioner "that the report will be a
key element in any future proceedings that may take place as the report contains information and
evidence that could be relied upon in securing any future conviction".
After reading this report, the Information Commissioner concluded "...in my view, the
fact that the case is actively being evaluated for possible proceedings becomes a decisive factor
in deciding where the balance of public interest lies. In general, where a case is actively being
evaluated for possible proceedings, I am unlikely to consider it to be in the public interest to
release this type of information on the basis that the release could undermine any future criminal
proceedings. Clearly, it would be different if a case had been closed or re-interviewing witnesses
is no longer essential to a conviction."
Have I got this right?
The report contains evidence that may secure a future conviction!
So what have Strathclyde Police been doing for the past eight years?
- Why was this evidence not acted upon eight years ago?
- Why was this case closed eight years ago?
- Why for eight years have Strathclyde Police insisted Annie's death was nothing more than an accident?
Without reading the actual report it raises even more questions.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION;
APPLICATION No. TWO.
This report was in response to a Complaint Against Police made by myself against officers who,
in my opinion clearly breached just about every statute in the book relating to the investigation
into sudden death. I was refused access to this report on 24th April 2007.
Cop this.
Paragraph 16 of the FOI decision not to release this report states : "In its submissions to
this Office, Strathclyde Police has confirmed that its investigations into Mrs Davies' death are
ongoing, and that all information gathered in connection with the investigation is actively being
reviewed, considered and progressed. Strathclyde Police also stated that an episode of the television
programme "Unsolved" which was broadcast in November 2006 and which focused on the circumstances
surrounding Mrs Davies' death, had led to several new lines of enquiry being pursued."
Paragraph 17 states : "Strathclyde Police's role in reviewing and assessing the information
held will naturally involve the assessment of whether Mrs Davies' death should be attributed to a
criminal cause. In such circumstances, where a criminal cause is suspected, the role of Strathclyde
Police will be to identify, apprehend and prosecute the offender(s).”
What! "The assessment of whether Mrs Davies' death should be attributed to a criminal
cause." Annie Davies was killed nine years ago and Strathclyde Police have only now
got round to assessing whether her death was the result of a crime. Publicly they have always
insisted her death was an accident.
Hang on! Hang on!
I recall, according to the Information
Commissioner, the first report written nine years ago : "
contains information and evidence
that could be relied upon in securing any future conviction."
Oh really! Give us a break! How, in the name of creation could they secure a
conviction with this track record!
Don't know about you but I don't believe a word they say any more. Curiously, my mum used to say
"There's no such thing as a good liar."
Brian Davies, ASFJ
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