Marksman ‘planted song titles in inquest evidence’

The Scotland Yard marksman was a member of the firearms team which shot dead Mark Saunders (pictured left) during an armed siege.

The officer, known only as AZ8, was reprimanded after claims emerged that he inserted song titles into evidence during the inquest into the 32-year-old barrister’s death.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has now launched a fresh inquiry into what effect this had on the officer’s testimony and on proceedings overall.

Sources close to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said he was “furious” that anyone could show such “insensitivity and lack of judgment” during the high-profile hearing.

'Shocking' allegations
The mother of a man shot dead by armed police has told Channel 4 News she's shocked by allegations that a marksman deliberately inserted song titles into his evidence at the inquest into the death.

The Metropolitan Police officer, known only as Alpha Zulu 8 (AZ8), was one of the officers who fired at barrister Mark Saunders at the end of a five-hour siege in Chelsea, West London, in May 2008. 

Mr Saunders' mother, Rosemary, told Channel 4 News: "Any officer who can approach something as serious as an inquest with such frivolous bravado, you've got to question what his attitude was on the night of 6 May, 2008, when he faced the possibility of shooting a man. Was this a game? Is this part of the culture of CO19?

"It's shocking. To my mind, it calls into question all of his evidence at the inquest. A man who can do that - be prepared to do that - at an inquest...what was he thinking?

"These people have a very serious responsibility, and if that is his attitude, it's quite appalling," she added.

Song titles

An IPCC spokeswoman said the Metropolitan Police referred the matter to the watchdog on 29 October, two days after the officer gave evidence under oath.

“It is alleged that, while giving evidence under oath to the inquest on September 27, officer AZ8 deliberately inserted song titles into his verbal testimony,” the spokeswoman said.

The alarm was reportedly raised when officials examining transcripts of his verbal evidence at Westminster Coroner’s Court discovered the names of several song titles during his hour-long testimony.

It is alleged that, while giving evidence under oath to the inquest on September 27, officer AZ8 deliberately inserted song titles into his verbal testimony. IPCC spokeswoman

It is understood officials are now examining the testimony of other police officers who appeared at the inquest, although there does not appear to be any evidence that others acted improperly.

Saunders ‘lawfully killed‘

Last month the hearing, which lasted over two weeks, found Mark Saunders had been killed lawfully by police after he pointed a gun out the window of his London home in 2008.

The inquest heard that AZ8 was one of four police marksmen who may have fired the shots which fatally killed Mr Saunders as he drunkenly levelled his shotgun at them from his kitchen window.

An investigation by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards will now be directed and controlled by the IPCC, under the oversight of commissioner Tom Davies.

Inquiry launched

A Met police spokesman said: “A matter was brought to Met attention during the Mark Saunders inquest in relation to evidence given by a firearms officer to the inquest.

“The issue was dealt with at the time by the officer’s management who reprimanded him.

“On 28 October the matter came to the attention of senior officers who felt this was insufficient.

“As a result the matter was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission on October 29.

“We have now been informed by the IPCC that they will manage an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Directorate of Professional Standards.

“The Met takes this matter extremely seriously as we expect the highest standards of all of our staff. The officer has been removed from operational firearms duty.”