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By George Grant
London, 24 May:
Officers from the Metropolitan Police are to fly to Libya to continue the investigation into the murder . . .[restrict]of WPC Yvonne Fletcher, British Prime Minister David Cameron said today.
The announcement was made during a visit to 10 Downing Street by Libya’s Prime Minister, Abdurrahim El-Kib.
WPC Fletcher was fatally wounded by an unknown gunman whilst policing a protest outside the Libyan Embassy in London in April 1984. 10 of the Libyan protesters were also hit, although none fatally.
The embassy staff claimed diplomatic immunity and were subsequently deported from the United Kingdom, whereupon all diplomatic ties between Libya and the UK were severed. The Metropolitan Police have never charged anyone with WPC Fletcher’s murder.
“I’m delighted that we’re working closely together on issues of mutual interest, including having a Metropolitan Police team going to Libya to continue the investigation into the murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher”, David Cameron said.
El-Kib promised Libya would “work very closely together” with the UK to help answer any questions during the investigation. The prime minister added that “the Fletcher case is a case that is close to my heart personally. I had friends who were demonstrating that day next to the embassy”.
Following the demise of the Qaddafi regime last October, there were fresh hopes that new evidence would emerge that could lead to WPC Fletcher’s killer finally being identified and aprehended, if still alive.
However, plans to send British police to Libya have been delayed after the authorities here failed to grant permission.
Commander Richard Walton, head of the UK’s Counter Terrorism Command, said today: “We have never lost our resolve to solve this murder and achieve justice for Yvonne’s family. We see today’s announcement as significant”. [/restrict]
