Only a full independent inquiry will do

A FULL independent investigation into the death of a man in police custody must be undertaken without delay if the public is to have any faith restored in the force.

There are many questions to be answered over the death of this man who was being questioned over serious crime - but the man was innocent and when he was taken to hospital he was a patient, not a prisoner. The fact that the police are appointing a senior officer to hold an inquiry is not good enough.

There must be no unanswered questions left hanging over the death of any person in police custody. The time has come for the establishment of an independent agency along the lines of the police complaints board and an office of a police ombudsman as there is in the six counties.