Police ‘made Russian’s death a non-issue’
POLICE attempted to downplay the mysterious death of a Russian whistleblower as a “non-issue” despite concern from MPS, confidential police documents reveal.
Investigators kept top brass in the dark for days about issues arising from the death of Alexander Perepilichny outside his Surrey mansion. When news finally broke, Surrey Police came out with “bland and simple” statements. But the case had already sparked interest in Westminster.
Mr Perepilichny collapsed and died while jogging near his home in Weybridge on Nov 10 2012 and a coroner is currently examining whether he died of natural causes or was poisoned.
At the time, he had been helping Hermitage Capital Management, prominent Kremlin critic Bill Browder’s firm, to uncover a £150million fraud, the Old Bailey had heard. Det Supt Ian Pollard insisted on no evidence of “third party” involvement.
But Mr Browder criticised the investigation, citing a “horrible lack of response” to a letter his firm had sent seven days after the death.
Following a request from media, two pages of minutes from a meeting on the investigation on Dec 10 2012 have now been released.
The meeting was chaired by Assistant Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney who admitted three missed opportunities to alert senior management to concerns surrounding the death.
She cited the Hermitage letter of Nov 17, referral to “Special Branch” and a phone inquiry from the press. Journalists had asked when the result of toxicology tests would be complete and if South East Counterterrorism were involved.
On the response to media inquiries, Det Supt Pollard advised on the “need to keep it bland and simple and continue to use the line that this is an ongoing investigation hence we cannot say much”.
Ms Pinkney said the senior investigating officer should work with the press officer on the line “and make it a non-issue”.