Criminal compensation

The Motorcycle Action Group has launched an e petition on the 10 Downing St site to challenge over zealous police reaction to alleged risks at motorcycle events.

The petition follows a parliamentary question on the subject that MAG member Lembit Opik MP tabled in Parliament earlier this year.

MAG is concerned by the apparent enthusiasm displayed for closing events on the basis of information about criminal intent which police are not obliged to share with event organisers.

MAG President Ian Mutch said, ‘I suspect that the police are themselves victims of a health and safety culture which is leading them to pick the safe option of closing events to avoid becoming targets of criticism if something goes wrong.’

‘It is intolerable that event organisers should face financial ruin because of factors that are not of their making. We feel that if organisers are eligible for compensation under such circumstances then pressure may be exerted on the police which could restore balance to a situation which appears to be getting out of control.’

The petition reads as follows:

Criminal compensation

Compensate fully the innocent organisers of public events where police have achieved cancellation based on undisclosed 'intelligence received' regarding the potential criminal actions of parties unrelated to the event organiser.

To sign the petition, go here:

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Eventsatrisk/

MAG-UK

Complaint against police – Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom, North Wales Police

As a keen members of MAG we get regular e-mails about campaigns and issues affecting us riders. Check this out and sign the petition if you ever want to stay able to ride a bike to tour North Wales.


Dear Sir,

I am the campaigns manager for the Motorcycle Action Group, (MAG), which represents the interests of approximately 50000 motorcyclists in the UK. On behalf of MAG, and the wider motorcycling community I wish to make a formal complaint against the actions of the Chief Constable of North Wales Police, Richard Brunstrom.

The compliant is in relation to a media briefing, given by Mr Brunstrom, on Thursday 26th April 2007. At this briefing Mr Brunstrom showed journalists photographic images of one Mark Gibney who had been fatally injured in a motorcycle accident in 2003.

The images concerned included the decapitated head of Mr Gibney and was so graphic as to include views of his wide open eyes staring out from the visor of the helmet which was still on his head. Richard Brunstrom also showed images of Mr Gibney’s mutilated torso.

It is accepted that in some circumstances the use of shock tactics to drive home a powerful message can be legitimised if the family and loved ones of the deceased have been consulted and are in full agreement that such images can be shown where it might be considered in the public interest.

However in these circumstances no such consultation or consent had been given by Mr Gibney’s family. Indeed, the first the family were aware of it was when news broke of the press briefing.

I have no idea what Chief Constable Brunstom was intending to achieve by such a crass, insensitive and wholly unethical shock tactic.

In subsequent press releases he appears to blame the media for ‘leaking’ this information as though the private showing of such gruesome images without the consent of the family somehow legitimises the decision to show them in the first place. Clearly it does notI am in receipt of well over 100 e mail letters of complaint at the time of writing this letter to you and should you wish I can provide these as written evidence supporting this complaint and the strength of feeling against the actions of Richard Brunstrom.

I cannot emphasise enough the sense of outrage and abhorrence which Richard Brunstrom’s actions have caused. One cannot begin to imagine the distress he has caused the family and loved ones of Mr Gibney which includes his young children who had hitherto been unaware of the traumatic circumstances surrounding the immediate aftermath of his death.

I am aware that the North Wales Police authority have referred this matter to you for your investigation and that you will be receiving representations from Mr Gibney’s family’s solicitor, Mr Paul Beck of Quinn Barrow Solicitors, Liverpool.

I trust that this matter will be fully investigated. The breaches of the deceased family’s human rights and the dignity of the deceased has been brought about by the totally unethical conduct of Richard Brunstrom. His actions bring into question his suitability and judgement for such high office in the British Police Service.

Yours Faithfully

David Short B.Sc, MIRM

Campaigns Manager

Motorcycle Action Group



I have forwarded copies of this letter to;

Mr Kelvin Dent

Chief Executive, North Wales Police Authority

Glan -y-Don, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8AW



HMIC Wales & Central England Region

165a Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 ODJ



Mr Peter Hain MP Welsh Secretary

House of Commons, London, SW1A OAA



Mr Martyn Jones MP Clwyd South

House of Commons, London, SW1 OAA



Mr Paul Beck

Quinn Barrow Solicitors

15-17 Stanley Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 6AA



MAG Campaign website : http://tinyurl.com/2q2ssm

Includes link to Petition: “We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Remove the North Wales Police chief from office as soon as possible.”

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RichardBrunstrom