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MORE SERIOUS IRREGULARITIES AT NORTHERN CONSTABULARY
(January 15, 2009)Mr MacAskill
I refer to previous correspondence regarding the
above.
I wish to highlight further serious irregularities
regarding the investigation of evidence of corruption within the justice system.
Copied below is recent correspondence with the Deputy Chief Constable of
Northern Constabulary.
DDC Sutherland was firstly asked to confirm that
the investigation of criminal allegations of corruption within the justice
system ( judges, PF, solicitors etc ) by a member of the public are within the
remit of Northern Constabulary. He responded by stating "Yes, the full allegations you made and your
supporting documentation was reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal
Service by way of police report". In response to a request to
confirm the current status of the crimal complaint made to Northern Constabulary
he goes on to state "Further to answer above, the Area Procurator Fiscal has not
instructed any further criminal inquiry nor has he found any conduct that would
infer criminal conduct by a police officer". He then states "However, in this
case, given the Area Procurator Fiscal's decision, your current avenue for
making observations or lodging complaints against named individuals in the
criminal justice system, other than police officers, would be through their
professional bodies ".The inference from his statements is absolutely
clear.
The Area Procurator Fiscal, Mr Andrew Laing, made
his responsiblities and role in the above matters equally clear in his letter
dated 6 January 2009 - " As Area Procurator Fiscal, I am responsible for the
investigation of all complaints which allege that a crime may have been
committed by a Police Officer in the course of his duty. My decisions are
entirely independent of the Police." In an email ( to be forwarded ) dated 12
January 2009 Mr Scott Pattison, Director of Operations at COPFS confirms that Mr
Laing's remit was to investigate the complaint against the Police, namely Chief
Inspector MacLean. Mr Laing did not investigate allegations of corruption on the
part of judges, solicitor's etc as inferred by DCC Sutherland. Indeed Mr
Pattison also confirms that "In relation to your allegations of a criminal
conspiracy involving various professional and legal persons no formal
prosecution report has been received by COPFS from Northern Constabulary " which
again appear to contradict DCC Sutherland's position.
It would appear the Deputy Chief Constable of Northern Constabulary is
being deliberately deceitful regarding the investigation of what is an extremely
serious matter. I would also remind you this is Northern Constabulary's second
attempt at investigating this complaint, the first also ended with evidence of
dishonesty on the part of the investigating officer, which alarmingly, is
currently being considered by DCC Sutherland. Clearly the overriding issue is
the investigation and consideration of evidence of corruption - there either is
evidence of corruption or there is not. It is within the remit of the Police to
investigate such allegations and it is quite clear that Northern Constabulary
are incapable of carrying out this function. This entire case should be referred
to an entirely independent investigating authority as a matter of urgency to
maintain public confidence in the justice system. I trust that you will advise
as to exactly how this should be done.
I look forward to your comments.
Stuart Hunt