The Daily Telegraph - Saturday
Met banned from death memorial for WPc
SCOTLAND Yard has banned serving police officers from taking part in a memorial service to mark the 40th anniversary of the murder of WPc Yvonne Fletcher.
Organisers of the event wanted 40 women in uniform to provide a guard of honour at the ceremony, which will take place in St James’s Square on April 17. But Met Police bosses have refused permission for any serving officers to attend or play an official role in the service. As a result, organisers have been forced to appeal for retired WPcs to volunteer and have been inundated with more than 500 offers.
The decision to ban serving officers from paying tribute to their fallen colleague has caused anger, dismay and confusion among current and former ranks.
WPc Fletcher was only 25 years old in April 1984 when she was killed by shots fired from the Libyan Embassy in St James’s Square. Her colleague John Murray, who has tirelessly campaigned to bring to justice those responsible for the murder, has organised a small commemoration to mark her sacrifice annually since her death. He had hoped that the 40th anniversary memorial could be held on a larger scale and came up with the idea of 40 current female officers forming a guard of honour between the East India Club, in one corner of St James’s Square, and the memorial marking the spot where Miss Fletcher fell.
Mr Murray, who cradled his colleague as she lay dying 40 years ago, said that he had been left baffled and upset by the Met’s position. He told The
Daily Telegraph: “It was my suggestion that we have 40 serving female officers who form a guard of honour across the square to the spot where Yvonne was shot. The borough commander had actually arranged it all and it was all going to be done but she then told – presumably by her bosses – that she couldn’t do it and they were no longer able to support us.
“The excuse given was that Yvonne’s family didn’t want to be involved in any memorial service. But the family not wanting to be there doesn’t mean the police can’t support it. It is an abysmal excuse. It’s a slap in the face not only to me and Yvonne but to the hundreds of people who support us.”
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “There is no guard of honour involving serving officers planned. This is in accordance with the wishes of PC Fletcher’s family. There will be a ceremonial team and senior police officer in attendance at the ceremony. Retired colleagues are also expected to attend.”