Big Fat Gypsy funeral . . . bring on the 21-shotgun salute

THANKS to all of you who have written in support of my column on Friday about the Hither Green shrine outrage — especially those ex-coppers who are appalled at the craven behaviour of the Old Bill towards the ‘travelling community’.

And we’ve still got the funeral of the career criminal Henry Vincent to come. That should be a tasteful affair, the biggest send-off since the Queen Mum. Perhaps the Yard can arrange for an official 21-shotgun salute.

If ever you doubted there is one law for ‘vulnerable minorities’ and another for the rest of us, confirmation came in Paul Bracchi’s brilliant despatch from Kent in Saturday’s Mail.

It turns out the police are in the habit of consulting ‘community elders’ before interviewing or arresting self-styled ‘gypsies’ wanted for serious crimes.

I don’t remember them asking permission to raid Cliff Richard’s house, do you?

Public confidence in the constabulary is at rock bottom.

Isn’t it time we had a judge-led Levesonstyle inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the police?