The IPCC Commissioner who is overseeing the independent investigation into Mark Duggan's death, Rachel Cerfontyne, said:
“I am aware of various media reports suggesting that we have not had adequate contact with Mr Duggan’s family since his death. Following my meeting with the family yesterday (Sunday) I am very clear that their concerns were not about lack of contact or support from the IPCC. Their concerns were about lack of contact from the police in delivering news of his death to Mark’s parents. It is never the responsibility of the IPCC to deliver a message regarding someone's death and I have told Mr Duggan’s family that I would be addressing this issue with the Met and that, if necessary, this would become part of our investigation.
"I have been consistently reassured by Mr Duggan’s family that while they still have many unanswered questions, they have sufficient access to and support from the IPCC. Dedicated IPCC family liaison managers are in place and the family know they can call them at any time.
"I am also aware that Mr Duggan’s family were unhappy at waiting at the police station for such a long time. The IPCC was contacted by the MPS at 8.30 pm on Saturday evening. We were told that Mr Duggan’s partner had been there and wanted answers to a variety of questions, but that she had now left.
"Yesterday I met with members of Mr Duggan’s family. I spoke to Mr Duggan’s mother on the phone, who confirmed that she did not want to see me yet, but would do in the coming days.
"In the course of our contact I know that the family – and indeed, the community, still have many unanswered questions.
"IPCC investigators are currently liaising with scientists at the Forensic Science Service regarding analysis on ballistics. We would anticipate being in a position to share verified results within the next 24 hours.”
The following information sets out the contact the IPCC has had to date with the family:
The Metropolitan Police Service Directorate of Professional Standards called the IPCC on call Senior Investigator at 7.20pm on Thursday 4 August to inform him of a fatal police shooting. IPCC investigators were deployed and the first reached the scene at approximately 9pm.
At 11pm on Thursday 4 August, an IPCC deputy senior investigator spoke to a Metropolitan Police Officer to get a handover briefing based on information currently available. He was told that an MPS Family Liaison Officer had been in touch with Mr Duggan’s next of kin.
The next morning, the IPCC appointed a Family Liaison Manager. He spoke to the MPS FLO to establish what had been done so far and he was given contact details for Mr Duggan’s partner, who the Met FLO had been liaising with until then. He spoke to Mr Duggan’s partner that day. He introduced himself, explained the role of the IPCC and made arrangements for family members to view Mr Duggan’s body at Haringey Mortuary the next day. This involved several phone conversations throughout the afternoon. He was told that Mr Duggan’s parents were not up to speaking to the IPCC.
On Saturday, two IPCC Family Liaison Managers spent two hours with numerous members of Mr Duggan’s family and friends, and facilitated the viewing of Mr Duggan’s body and formal identification. They explained the role of the IPCC and established that Mr Duggan’s partner would be their single point of contact in order to avoid confusion as best as possible. Other members of the family were told that, if they had any questions or information for the IPCC, they should pass them on via the single point of contact and likewise, that the IPCC would pass on all updates in the same way. The IPCC were told that Mr Duggan’s parents did not feel up to being there. A further meeting was arranged and in the meantime Mr Duggan’s partner was provided with IPCC contact details and told that she could call him at any time if she, or any other members of the family, had any questions.
Commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne met with members of the family on Sunday.
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