Friday 5 August 2011

Curious…

Senior police officers have been criticised by the family of a murdered nurse for pulling out of a conference in her name.
Oh?
A guest speaker from Lancashire Constabulary had been lined up to address the first annual Justice For Jane conference held on Thursday night in memory of Jane Clough, murdered by Jonathan Vass.
Did they have to pull out for operational reasons?

Well, no:
But as well as withdrawing from the event at late notice, officials advised Jane’s family liaison officer not to attend, even in her own spare time, to receive an award from the family.
Very odd. What reason did they give?
Jane’s father John Clough, 51, from Higherford, said: “The police have regrettably withdrawn their spokesperson as they cannot be seen to speak under the banner of Justice For Jane because it is an ethical dilemma for them.
“Jane’s FLO is a very special family friend. She spent time with Jane through her darkest days but she was ordered not to attend.”
Now, I’m not in favour of these sort of campaigns, and this one especially is looking to impose future blanket restrictions on bail (something which the police should be in favour of, oddly) as a result of their personal tragedy.

But if the police have made a commitment to attend, what’s changed? They aren’t saying:
A spokesman for the force declined to say why the decisions to withdraw both the speaker and the FLO had been taken, but said they were happy the conference had been a success.
Very odd indeed…

8 comments:

SBC said...

Lancashire Constabulary have just risen mightly in my esteem. 'Justice For Jane' actually means 'Injustice For Everyone Else' and the police should not even lend tacit support to such disgusting political campaigns.

Now excuse me please, I feel the need to go shower, there is something , dunno, 'dirty' about praising the police. I'll never got used to it...at this rate i'll end up buying Jaded a pint and then there is no hope...

Anonymous said...

Nice one SBC.
Come on Julia,do a story on the shooting of that totally innocent man in Tottenham last night.The comments on the Daily Mail website have not quite gone to plan.
Didn't make the news but on the police radio last night I heard there were disturbances by the local "yoot" protesting against police shooting back in the shit-hole that is N17.
Of course,shoot at us but we can't shoot back.
Jaded

blueknight said...

Maybe something to do with this?

A judge who granted bail to a man who went on to murder his ex-girlfriend was warned about the threat he posed, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.

Jonathan Vass repeatedly stabbed Jane Clough, 26, in Blackpool in July, while on bail for charges of raping her.

Judge Simon Newell said he was not told that Vass, 30, was likely to commit further offences against Ms Clough.

But the CPS has now said it told the judge there was an "extreme likelihood" Vass would interfere with witnesses.

It also said it told the judge Vass had committed violent crimes against Ms Clough, of Barrowford, Lancashire.

OOPS

English Viking said...

Politically correct Babylon.

Worse than muggers.

English Viking said...

SBC,

The real reason is not a concern for your 'rights', but that one of their own was told not to let this ape loose. He ignored the advice. One murder later, the Judge looks a twat, so if the Po Po start cheering for the victims, it's kind of like standing outside the tent, pissing in, instead of the other way around.

Save your money, don't waste it on the Filth. I'll have a very large Scotch.

Cheers.

Bucko said...

An ethical dilemma for me to. I've spoken with John Clough on the Telegraph website about my concerns regarding his campaign (In a nice way*).
I cant support it but I did think the police would. I actually expressed my concerns about weather they would use these new powers correctly if they had them.

*he did say the usual 'what if it was your loved one murdered?'
I said I would also be concerned about a loved one being remanded on bail for months if they were innocent.

SBC said...

"I said I would also be concerned about a loved one being remanded on bail for months if they were innocent."

Exactly.

If JFJ were simply demanding M'Lud's head on a plate then I'd be firing up PayPal.

EV, no I'm not naive enough to think that the police were at all concerned about my rights,the law or Justice in general. But credit where credit is due, even if they are doing the right thing for the wrong reason. Probably.

And AFAICS *this* time the police aren't at fault that someone got killed. The CPS or the Judge need arresting for criminal negligence.

JuliaM said...

"..the police should not even lend tacit support to such disgusting political campaigns. "

But as Blueknight points out, this is a subject dear to their hearts due to the circumstances of the case...

"Didn't make the news but on the police radio last night I heard there were disturbances by the local "yoot" protesting against police shooting back in the shit-hole that is N17."

You're right, it certainly didn't! First I've heard of it, and no mention of it at Gadget's blog or others...

"I said I would also be concerned about a loved one being remanded on bail for months if they were innocent."

Good point!