Duggan family lawyer criticises police

Michael Mansfield QC suggested these were the factors during cross examination of a senior Metropolitan police officer at the inquest into Mr Duggan’s death.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Foote was in charge of Operation Dibri, which targeted Mark Duggan and five others suspected of using guns in London nightclubs.

He told the inquest jury he got a call at home from a senior firearms officer after the shooting on 4 August 2011, but could not remember details. He was shown this note written by the officer of what he allegedly said:

* Just found a gun and think it’s Duggan’s gun

* Shot one at 19 (firearms) officer by accident by another 19 officer

* Apparently MD (Mark Duggan) came towards officers firing

Mark Duggan inquest by Channel4News

Mr Foote told the inquest he had no recollection of this conversation.

Mr Mansfield pressed the officer on whether he had helped put out a false story that Mr Duggan was shot during an exchange of fire with police.

He asked: “Did it come as a surprise when you read that?” DCI Foote replied: ” Yes it did, because I wasn’t aware… I didn’t know at the time how the officer was shot. It was an unknown quantity.”