Liberal Democrats demand answers from Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Ian Blair

1.07.39pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 26th Jun 2006

Police surround house in Lansdowne Road

Liberal Democrat Councillors Stephanie Eaton and Abdul Matin spoke at the launch of 'Voice for Justice' on Sunday June 25. 'Voice for Justice' is a campaigning organisation representing the Bangladeshi Community in East London. It has formed in response to the actions of the Metropolitan Police in raiding a property in Lansdowne Road in the Borough of Newham, and the shooting of a resident.

Councillor Matin spoke of the need for all communities to support the efforts of the Police in fighting crime and terrorism. However, he noted that the Metropolitan Police had failed to reassure residents that they were acting in a professional way using substantiated evidence. The Councillor also noted the inadequacy of the Metropolitan Police's apology to the residents of Newham and the family of those involved in this "terror" raid.

Councillor Eaton spoke of the long history of the Metropolitan Police's failure to address the perception of institutional racism. She spoke of the time taken to get answers from the Police and the Independent Police Complaints Commission concerning the death a year ago of Jean Charles De Menezes. She also spoke of the continuing unease about Police stop and search procedures and the overuse of S44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 which allows the Police to stop a person without the suspicion that they have committed an offence.

Both Liberal Democrat Councillors called for an urgent explanation of the recent events in Forest Gate and reassurances from th Prime Minister and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to local people.