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More than thirty years since the death of anti-racism activist Blair Peach, Scotland Yard will finally release a secret internal review. The Crown Prosecution Service have reviewed the document and passed their findings back to the police - it is thought that lawyers for Mr Peach's partner, Celia Stubbs, have also been handed a copy. Mr Peach, 33, died after being struck on the head at a demonstration against the National Front in Southall, 1979. Members of the force's Special Patrol Group were suspected of hitting him with a rubber incased police radio or a lead-filled cosh. Allegations included unauthorised weapons found in the possession of SPG officers, including Baseball bats, crowbars and sledgehammers. No one has ever been charged over the man's death. Leaks have indicated that the force paid an out of court settlement to Peach's family - these allegations have never been conclusively proven. The report written by Commander John Cass, a former senior officer at the Met's internal complaints department, examined the death. He is believed to have recommended the prosecution of police officers, although no charges were ever brought.
Pressure over Ian Tomlinson - Report could be censored
Last year Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said he was willing to publish the document but only after it had been checked by solicitors. However, last June, Sir Paul also said some details would be censored. The Metropolitan Police Authority unanimously supported a decision to review the documents with a view to publishing them. Public pressure to release the document grew after the death of Ian Tomlinson during G20 protests.
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