date: 23 October 2008
embargo: 00.01hrs Saturday 25 September
TUC calls Government to account on deaths in custody
The TUC and the United Friends and Families Campaign (UFFC) are holding a press conference today (Saturday) to protest about deaths in custody.
The press conference will be held at 11am at TUC headquarters in central London, before the UFFC and colleagues assemble at Trafalgar Square at 1pm, for their 10th remembrance procession to Downing Street.
In a letter to the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The TUC believes that the state has a duty of care towards the people it takes into custody, and a responsibility to be open and accountable when deaths occur.
'We believe that an independent public inquiry on deaths in custody should be held to ensure that lessons are learnt from previous deaths and to prevent future deaths.'
The UFFC was set up by families who have relatives who have died in police custody, in prison or in psychiatric care. The organisation is campaigning for reforms in the way deaths in custody are investigated. It is asking the Government to hold a public inquiry into deaths in custody to ensure that lessons are learnt from the past and that future deaths are avoided.
Families attending include those of Jean Charles De Menezes, Roger Sylvester, Brian Douglas, Mikey Powell, Christopher Alder, Paul Coker and Jason Mcpherson.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The press conference is at 11am on Saturday 25 March at Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS.
- Since 1969 we have had 2,533 deaths for which the names of the individuals are known. Hundreds of others are unknown. Between October 27 2007 and October 17 2008 there have been 182 deaths where the identity of the individual is known. Details: www.inquest.org.uk
- This is the 10th such march and coincides with an online petition on Downing Street. Details: http://4wardever.org/#/uffcannualrally/4528097635
- This year's march will also commemorate the tragic death of Pauline Campbell who was in the midst of a campaign for justice for her daughter Sarah. Her passing will be marked during the day. Details: www.rememberpauline.wordpress.com
- Procession details: Saturday 25th October assemble at 1pm at Nelsons Column, Trafalgar Square, London. There will be a procession along Whitehall followed by protest at Downing Street.
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet
Contacts:
Media enquiries:
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk
Press release (500 words) issued 25 Oct 2008
