Former cabinet minister Sir Andrew Mitchell has branded the Metropolitan Police’s treatment of Reprieve client Ali Kololo “disgraceful,” accusing the Met of a “cover-up” at taxpayer expense. Ali was wrongfully convicted of being involved in the murder and abduction of two British tourists, following a deeply unfair trial in which a Met detective was the star witness for the prosecution.
A report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) found the detective omitted “significant forensic evidence” and would have had a “case to answer for gross misconduct,” had he not retired.
Ali has filed a civil claim against the Met, seeking redress for the harm suffered – he spent 11 years in prison as a result of this miscarriage of justice.
“When the Home Office directed me to the Met for answers about public expenditure on this case, I reasonably expected co-operation, not obstruction,” Sir Andrew wrote.
“The more you and your colleagues deflect and obfuscate, the greater the suspicion that a huge amount of money is being wasted by the Met defending this case.”
Read the full story at the Telegraph.