A
breakthrough in one of
Britain
's most notorious unsolved murders may mean charges are
brought 20 years on.
Private
detective Daniel Morgan, 37, was found dead with an axe
embedded in his skull in the Golden Lion pub car park in
Sydenham,
London
, in March 1987.
After
five inquiries into the killing, which was reportedly ordered
because Morgan was on the brink of exposing police involvement
in a cocaine distribution network in south-east
London
, a file on the case was passed to the Crown Prosecution
Service (CPS) last week.
Their
lawyers are now examining the 300-page document to see whether
charges can be brought in the 20-year-old case.
Reports
today suggest five men, including retired police detective,
could face conspiracy charges.
The
investigation, led by Detective Chief Superintendent David
Cook, of the Metropolitan police, was today praised by
Morgan's brother, Alastair, who has blasted previous inquiries
into the case as a "disgrace".
He
will be allowed to read a CD of the report later this week.
He
said: "We want the whole truth to come out so that we can
move on with our lives.
"Initially
when we were told the matter was being reopened, we were very
suspicious. As it progressed and we were given more detail, we
realised we had to trust the police.
"We
met with David Cook and he was a different calibre of
policeman to what we have worked with before. If he thought
the Queen was involved he would nick her.
"He's
not interested in the politics and it is refreshing to see an
officer like this leading the case."
Alastair
Morgan and his mother, Isobel Hulsmann, 79, claim Daniel's
killing remains unsolved because Scotland Yard refused to
accept the scale of internal corruption.
The
five inquiries have cost millions of pounds. The fourth,
between 2002 and 2003 failed to convince the CPS there was
sufficient evidence to prosecute.
The
latest breakthrough is reported to have emerged from two 'supergrasses'
who are in the witness protection programme.
The
report was begun following lobbying from Daniel's family, who
convinced the Metropolitan police Authority to demand a new
investigation from Met commissioner Sir Ian Blair.
Alastair
continued: "I can remember one occasion about a month
before Daniel's death when I was in Daniel's office.
"He
mentioned a name to me - I can't now remember what it was -
Dan told me, 'He's a bent copper. They are all over the place
down here'.
"Throughout
our 20-year battle, the Home Office has been an utter waste of
space. We tried absolutely everything in our power to warn
them about serious police corruption and were ignored year
after year. We found them uniformly remote, gullible and ill
informed.
"I
also think the Metropolitan Police leadership has been a
disgrace.
"This
20-year battle has been like having a part-time job. We have
paid a price in human terms, fighting against the state. It
has taken a huge toll on the family.
"Our
objective has not been just to ensure justice is done, but to
uphold some sort of integrity in the police force.
"I
only had one brother, so obviously I miss him."
Alastair
said he could not feel satisfied until his brother's alleged
killer were in prison, adding: "We are obviously
desperately hoping there will be prosecutions but we have to
wait until there have been convictions and sentences."
Morgan's
mother said: "The very thought that it could be moving
closer to an end buoys me up no end.
"But
I am afraid to get too optimistic about it. There have been so
many ups and downs like a rollercoaster and i have not got a
clue what the CPS will do.
"There
are times when I have thought nothing would ever happen, but
as the clock ticks by you just get on with it and suddenly,
without almost knowing it, the 20-year anniversary arrives.
"Last
night I sat up looking back at the inquest report. It gripped
me. I went on and on until I was cross-eyed and only went to
bed at 9.30am.
"The
campaign has become part of me. After the first few years, we
have become accustomed to it and i am wondering what it is
like to be without it. I can't really remember much before it.
"It
has become debilitating for me. I am getting on and I would
like to have a few years without it."
A
Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "A report into the death
of Daniel Morgan was passed to the CPS on June 13. No
recommendations about charges have been made.
"The
family will be briefed about the submission."
The
spokeswoman said she had no knowledge of reports that
Assistant Commissioner John Yates, who is leading the cash for
honours inquiry, was leading the investigation, adding:
"I understand it is led by DCI Cook."
Copyright © 2006 National News +44(0)207 684 3000
----------------------------------------------------------------
WIS International offers
private investigation, research, intelligence and detective
services. We have
been established in Portugal for over 10 years with offices
in Lisbon, London and the Algarve . We undertake various
investigations into all manner of subjects throughout the
world. We have agents throughout Portugal, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Angola.
Being a member of many professional
organisations enables us to carry out assignments throughout
the EU and the rest of the world using trusted associates
and international investigators.
|
