Father Andrew Birks is one of the five Metropolitan Police Officers who had to endure nearly 11 years’ worth of continued investigations following the tragic death of Sean Rigg, who died whilst in police custody back in 2008.
Last Friday, Father Birks (who during the investigation trained to become a Priest) along with the four other police officers involved in the case, was completely exonerated of any wrongdoing.
Below is a statement that was prepared by Father Birks in relation to the investigation and it’s outcome:
“In light of the decision to exonerate me from all allegations on Friday 1st March, I wish to make this statement.
“I wish to thank all those who have contacted me over the last few days with words of support given the decision. It has been a very humbling and emotional process of going through all those messages, Thank You.
“I, along with the other officers continue to be saddened by
“There have been no winners in this case, only people who have been deeply affected by the actions of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, whose second ‘investigation’ took twice as long as the first and has demonstrated that the IOPC is absolutely broken beyond repair.
“It stands today as a disgrace!
“The Misconduct Panel found that the public should be under no illusion about the failings of the IOPC in this case (and its predecessor). In the view of the Panel, the failure of the IOPC to carry out a proper first investigation and the way it carried out the re-investigation, should be regarded as highly incompetent and a long way short of what is expected of a statutory public body.
“The last ten years have been very difficult for me, and the last 5 especially have been a living nightmare.
“There have been very dark periods in my life caused by the stress and anxiety of the investigation hanging over me for so long; an investigation which should have been concluded, for me, back in 2016 if not 2015.
“The work which the IOPC conducted in the second investigation was minimal, and it was proven at the Misconduct Hearing that all the evidence gathered in the second investigation was available during the course of the first investigation.
“The delays caused in this investigation, I believe, lay firmly at the door of the IOPC.
“Whilst the MPS are not blameless in causing delays, the IOPC have severely mismanaged this investigation.
“As concerning is the
“The senior investigating officer from the IOPC, Mr Steve Noonan, had his evidence in the High Court described as “disingenuous” by Mr Justice Garnham, and the panel considered parts of his evidence, during this hearing, to be worthy of the same description.
“It is important to remember that every police officer who goes out on duty, does so not knowing what that duty will bring them.
“They do so without regard often for their own safety but more so for the public they serve.
“I have always said that when the actions of
“This case had demonstrated that the IOPC can achieve none of those.
“The Police Complaints system needs a dramatic overhaul, to ensure the fair and independent treatment of those who complain, and the officers concerned. Police Officers are not above the law, but
“I
“I also ask the IOPC to, with immediate effect, suspend Mr Steven Noonan and Ms Sarah Green at the IOPC and to seek an independent review of their handling of this case.
“Their actions
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Colin Reynold’s of Reynolds Dawson’s Solicitors; Clair Dobbin, Alisdair Williamson and Hugo Keith at 3 Raymond Buildings for their support and hard work during this case. I also would like to Thank the Police Federation both locally and nationally for their support in getting me through the last 10 years”.
CLICK HERE to read the story about the outcome of the investigation
Got a story, video or one-off blog that you would like to share with us?
You can contact our team of former emergency services & armed forces personnel either through our Facebook page, via Twitter ( @ES_News_ ) or you can contact us via email: contact@emergency-services.news or call us on: 0115 888 0592
If you run or manage a ‘job’ social media account and you would like us to share one of your stories then send us a tweet or a message!
If you would like to write an article that you would like us to share (it can be about anything to do with the emergency services / NHS) whether you serve in the emergency services / NHS or whether you are a member of the public who has had a good experience with the emergency services, then feel free to contact our team; anonymously if you prefer.
We are proud to act as a voice for the emergency services, armed forces & health service, with over 500,000 people visiting our website each month.
Before you go...
WE NEED YOUR HELP.Here at Emergency Services News, we aim to tell you stories that the mainstream media are not interested in reporting. Whilst the MSM love to berate and ridicule the emergency services, who is there to report on the realities of serving on the front line?
Emergency Services News is currently a loss-making entity. But our team of volunteers, all former emergency services personnel, do not do it for the money.
We do it because we are sick and tired of the mainstream media constantly trying to undermine the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep you and your family safe.
How many MSM journalists who speak ill of the emergency services have actually dared to don the uniform and risk their own lives to save the life of a complete stranger? If you would like to help back our mission of reporting on fact-based news, then please consider helping to support us financially.
You can support emergency services news from as little as £1. It only takes a minute. Every contribution, however big or small, is vital for our future.
Please help us to continue to highlight the life-saving work of the emergency services, NHS and armed forces by becoming a supporter.
There has to be a Statute of Limitations associated with these Investigations (I use the word loosely in respect of the IOPC). 11 years to get exonerated is beyond belief. The stress for these officers must have been overwhelming. The people responsible should be held to account but I’m not holding my breath. Perhaps somebody in the Fed will consider a case of Abuse of Process so that these people in the IPOC can be held to account.