Yvonne Fletcher: Private prosecution planned as Met Police marks 40 years since officer was shot

The colleague of murdered police officer Yvonne Fletcher says he will be launching a private prosecution against one of the suspects, as the Met marks 40 years since the shooting.

WPC Yvonne Fletcher was shot and killed outside the former Libyan embassy on April 17 1984 after gunmen opened fire on a protest against Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

Retired officer John Murray told BBC Breakfast today that Yvonne is “sorely missed” and that he would “get justice” for her by demanding a key suspect be tried for Yvonne’s murder.

The shots were fired from inside the Libyan People’s Bureau, but all those inside were allowed to return to Libya as they were protected by diplomatic immunity. No one has ever been charged for WPC Fletcher's murder.

In 2017 the Crown Prosecution Service dropped its case against one of the suspects as evidence could not be used in court for reasons of “national security”. 

The Met said the investigation into Yvonne’s murder will never be closed but that it believes the likelihood of finding further evidence is low. 

The BBC reports that Mr Murray is set to launch a private criminal prosecution against Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk. In 2019 , Mr Murray sued Mr Mabrouk for damages in the High Court which found him “jointly liable” for the shootings and symbolically awarded Mr Murray £1. Mr Mabrouk was not one of the gunmen himself and denied any wrongdoing in a response to the court from Libya. 

Mr Murray told the BBC: “To this very day the quest for justice for Yvonne continues. If the CPS cannot or will not proceed with criminal charges, the only option available is to embark on our own legal action in the criminal courts.”

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Mr Murray’s private prosecution could face legal obstacles and Mr Mabrouk is currently in Libya. In addition, the process could be halted at any time by the Director of Public Prosecutions.  On Wednesday morning, retired police officers and Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley visited the scene in Knightsbridge and laid a wreath in PC Fletcher’s memory.

Members of Yvonne’s Family attended a private event and said in statement: "It was 40 years ago today that Yvonne was just doing her job policing another demonstration when she was tragically killed in St James’s Square.

"Over the years Yvonne has always been in our thoughts along with all those effected on that fateful day. As in previous years the family has chosen to spend the day privately reflecting on the sister we knew and loved without any media intrusion. We would like to thank the Metropolitan Police for their continued support."

Sir Mark said: “Yvonne was just 25 when she was callously murdered.

“She was simply doing her job, policing protests, not unlike what many officers do so often today. She had her whole career and her whole life ahead of her.

“Today, 40 years on from that terrible day, I join with all in the Met and across policing in paying tribute to her, in recognising her sacrifice and in keeping her family, friends and colleagues in our thoughts.”