Sean Rigg police reporting: "implausible and improbable"

The family of Sean Rigg is a step closer to finding some truth in regard to Sean’s death in police custody back in 2008.

A review ordered by the IPCC was made last year after an inquest found that the police used unnecessary force against Rigg. The review, led by the criminologist Dr Silvia Casale, has strongly criticized how the IPCC initially handled the investigation. The IPCC for its part has stated it no longer stands by the original findings and will accept the review’s criticism. A number of officers are currently under criminal investigation over evidence given to the initial inquest.

Many have seen the parallels in Rigg's case match those of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry, in which racist attitudes contributed to his death, and then a police cover further exacerbate the family’s pain.

The IPCC chair, Dame Anne Owers, said:

I will be working with commissioners and staff to ensure that those lessons are put into practice. I am encouraged by the fact that many of the concerns expressed by Dr Casale, her team and the Rigg family have also been voiced in discussions among our own staff and commissioners, as well as by other external stakeholders."

Sean Rigg’s family deserves honesty and some level of closer. They are not there yet, but yesterday’s findings get them a step closer.

Simon Woolley