Smiley Culture: IPCC to speed up inquiry

Investigations into the death of Smiley Culture will be speeded up to provide answers says the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Prior to a public meeting held yesterday evening at Lambeth Town Hall in Brixton, south London, IPCC Commissioner Mike Franklin commented; "I am mindful that our investigation needs to be thorough and robust but that it also needs to be done as quickly as possible because people are rightly demanding answers.

"Having said that, the key to this investigation will be information we can obtain from forensic examinations of evidence gathered at the scene using the scientists and experts we have commissioned.

"These things take time, and we do not have control over how long these examinations will take, but I will be doing everything I can to ensure that this investigation moves forward as quickly as possible."

In a statement (PDF) after the meeting, David Emmanuel the nephew of Smiley Culture, who is leading the campaign said; "The IPCC can tell us all what happened to Smiley and others, but what they can’t do is guarantee us justice, that we have to do for self. Ourselves.  Power concedes nothing without demand, if we don't challenge the present systems of things as a people, nothing will change!".

Hundreds of people attended the meeting in Brixton and the family say they will call for public inquiry if they are not fully satisfied with the IPPC investigation.