A former senior police officer is being urged to apologise for the "outrageous" comments he made about Stephen Lawrence's family.Recent comments?
Coulsdon West councillor David Osland, Scotland Yard deputy commissioner at the time of the stabbing in 1993, provoked fury when he said officers accused of racism by the teenager's parents should take legal action against them.Oh, so, at the time of the stabbing?
Mr Osland wrote a memo to then Commissioner Sir Paul Condon on September 1993, which read: "Our patience is wearing thin on 3 Area, not only with the Lawrence family and their representatives but also with self-appointed media commentators."Criticising the sainted Doreen! Oh noes!
But even then, the ‘offensive’ comment wasn’t made at the time. It was made in 1997:
In 1997, buoyed by an initial investigation by Kent Police which ruled out racism as the cause of the murder probe's failings, Mr Osland told the Advertiser that officers should sue the family.Fair comment? Well, yes. Who could possibly object to that?
He added: "The Lawrences seem happy to accept the findings of the report where it suits them but not where it doesn't".
Well, who do you think?
Gee Bernard, founder of Croydon Afro Caribbean Family Organisation, called on Cllr Osland to apologise.Well, no. The trial that's just concluded found two people guilty of murder; it didn't find David Osland guilty of anything, nor did it mean that his comments became invalid - far from it!
"Now he has seen the full facts he has the opportunity to retract his outrageous comments," she said.
"He should apologise to the family and to the community."
Labour leader Tony Newman added: "Surely it's time for Cllr Osland to say sorry?"
Though I suppose he can always copy Diane Abbott’s non-apology word for word. I wonder if that would suit?
14 comments:
In the 1990's I lived for nearly 4 years in the Caribbean and was frequently the recipient of racist remarks from Afro-Caribbeans. On the Island I lived there were a large community of Caribbeans whose ancestors had originally come from India and not once was I racially abused by them. No doubt in the UK this story would get me into trouble. I would be dubbed a racist for even intimating that black people are ever racist and that I was only attempting to ferment discord. I am a Welshman and the English have frequently denigrated me and my nation usually in a humerus way which I have found mostly funny but occasionally it has been hurtful. However unlike Abbot I have never felt the need to take my spite out on all the English people or try to gag them from debating English Welsh relations. My tactic is to ignore the real racists and take in good part the banter that has no malicious intent.
Blood pressure rising Julia,my local paper and I missed this story...
It amazes me someone mentions the word "community" they only mean black people.
At least someone elected Osland,I assume the spokesman for a made up group was self-appointed?I wonder how much they gets from public funds to peddle crap?
Jaded
PS I would like to apologise to my sister because in 1973 I hid her stylophone.I feel ashamed.
Mr Osland was a decent guy, old school and always pleasant and polite when he met us street plods.
Not like his modern counterparts who barely acknowledge the presence of anyone under Chief Inspector because they would have nothing in common to discuss.
I agreed with him completely.
No one ever mentions those officers first on scene in Well Hall Road who did everything they could, first aid wise too - and they tried to deal with the now Councillor Brooks. The facts have been shrouded in the new truth of what happened, in the myth and legend of that night. And what did happen to many of those officers, well they were never the same afterwards, after the trials, the inquiries and all the other scrutiny they came under. Careers lost, family and professional lives ruined. A disgrace.
The only people from an ethnic group that called me a racist were always African/Caribbean.
There's a lot of people from 'the community' who have all done very well out of the SLM, one was even made a Dame I believe, lots of grant money, lots of workshops - they seemingly love to be patted on the head by the white elite, given a teeny bit of power and money to feather their own nests.
This useless tosser Gee Bernard drags this old and forgotten stuff up yet again to fan the flames and to keep the gravy train running.
PS I would like to apologise to my sister because in 1973 I hid her stylophone.I feel ashamed
Did she ever find it?
If not and in the spirit of truth and reconciliation, she can have mine.
"If not and in the spirit of truth and reconciliation, she can have mine."
Hang on to the triangle, Mick. Never relinquish your boyhood aspiration of acceptance by a band.
I might take you up on your kind offer Mick,they are probably worth a fortune now.Rolf Harris didn't get rich overnight for his paintings after all did he?
Back to the topic I recently had a spurious complaint made against me (not racial fortunately).When the complainer was questioned more thoroughly she admitted making it up.I went back in front of my Inspector (who clearly had thought I was guilty when the allegation was made)to get official notice that the investigation was over I asked him "can't she be done for perverting or wasting police time?" He said "No you just have to swallow it,it's part of the job".
Oh well only 7 years and 6 months to go!
Jaded
Can't you fit her up for something, Jaded?
(Joke!!)
Who is this about?
October 1993 Surrendered voluntarily to Bexleyheath police station, where he was charged under section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act, relating to an allegation of violent disorder at a British National party march. Eventually the proceedings were stayed on December 13 1994 after the judge ruled an abuse of process. The judge had invited the CPS to discontinue the case earlier, but it refused to do so.
May 27 1998 Police requested an interview about an allegation of kidnapping at Catford station. He was bailed until July 23 when police announced that they were taking no further action.
July 8 1998 Stopped under the Prevention of Terrorism Act in the City of London. Searched and arrested for possession of a knife and theft of a credit card. Bailed from the police station and when he returned on August 4 was charged with possession of an offensive weapon. The action was discontinued in September.
July 4 1999 Stopped by police in in his car, which was searched. A photocopying tool was found (he works as a photocopying engineer). Police alleged it was an offensive weapon and charged him with possession of a bladed article. They also found credit cards and chequebooks in the car and he was arrested for handling stolen goods. He was bailed to appear before Tower Bridge magistrates. The case was discontinued on August 3.
August 17 1999 Arrested in Peckham, south London, for taking and driving away a car and threatening behaviour. Taken to Peckham police station and bailed until August 6, when police notified him that they were taking no further action.
September 16 1999 Arrested and charged with attempted rape and indecent assault. Originally refused bail by police and court. Finally bailed on September 29 on condition he resided in Birmingham. At his committal hearing on November 5 police announced they had dropped the charge of attempted rape. An Old Bailey judge threw out the case as an abuse of process.
Names on a postcard...
" My tactic is to ignore the real racists and take in good part the banter that has no malicious intent."
An admirable strategy, though doomed to fall far behind those whose strategy is to burst into tears and get the police involved...
"It amazes me someone mentions the word "community" they only mean black people."
Yup!
"No one ever mentions those officers first on scene in Well Hall Road who did everything they could, first aid wise too..."
Anna Raccoon's post on it did. But a lie is half-way around the world before the truth has got its boots on.
And far too many people are invested in spreading that lie.
"Names on a postcard..."
I only need one. But I'd love the names of the people who ordered each of those actions be 'discontinued'.
@Gallovidian and for JuliaM's benefit...the answer is...................Duwayne Brooks! It got to the stage that he was being supplied with rental cars by the Met who were putting him up in a soon to be decommissioned section house in Greenwich. He was rumoured to be barrelling these cars and driving around London at night hoping to gets topped and then get nicked etc etc. There was a general instruction that Duwayne Brooks was not to be stopped, searched or nicked!
Many thanks for the summary, Anon. Noted.
"...hoping to gets topped..."
*bites tongue at amusing typo*
;)
And still it goes on... today in the Righteous on Sunday, Dick Doc Stone (yes, he of the independent commentary) writes that police should be charged for daring to stop black people.
I'm sick of this - for me, there's now only one Lawrence murder that's of any significance - Philip Lawrence.
Lerxst-it has crossed my mind,a dish served cold etc......
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