A bid to overturn the verdict that Mark Duggan was “lawfully killed” by a police marksman has been denied.
Following four months listening to evidence and seven days of deliberation, three High Court judges dismissed an application for judicial review by Duggan’s mother, Pamela, after a court found that her son was lawfully killed by a police marksman in 2011.
Sir Brian Leveson, Mr Justice Burnett and Judge Peter Thornton QC, said that they recognised the “tragedy” of Duggan’s death, but found that none of the grounds to challenge the original ruling had been met.
Duggan’s aunt, Carole Duggan, said the family were “extremely disappointed” with the judges’ decision, and Pamela Duggan’s solicitor, Marcia Willis Stewart, has said that they will appeal.
In a statement following the verdict, the Met Police said:
“The tackling of those believed to be armed always carries a risk. Thanks to the professionalism of the officers involved it is very rare that officers fire a shot.
“Trident and firearms officers contribute every day across London to reductions in gun crime, last year 300 firearms were seized as a result of proactive operations.
“We are not complacent, our primary aim is keeping Londoners safe, and we recognise the considerable and devastating impact of gun crime on those affected by it.
“We will continue to learn and develop our methods for firearms operations to keep Londoners safe.”
Meanwhile, Pamela Duggan has launched a separate legal action challenging whether officers should be permitted to discuss their testimony before a court case involving a police fatality.
The shooting of 21-year-old Duggan in Tottenham, north London, despite being unarmed in August 2011 sparked nationwide riots that made headlines around the world.
