bbc
Law Lords are expected to rule later on whether a police force breached
the human rights of a witness who was murdered before he could give
evidence.
Hertfordshire Police failed to protect Giles Van Colle, 25, shot dead in
Mill Hill Broadway, north London, in 2000.
Police counsel said his killer's actions could not have been foreseen
and did not involve human rights laws.
The Law Lords' ruling could affect policing and government at national
and local level, it has been claimed.
The House of Lords is also due to rule on a second related case
involving the level of protection afforded by police to a Sussex man who
was attacked by his former partner.
Stephen Smith had repeatedly warned Brighton police that he was in
danger from Gareth Jeffrey, who later attacked him with a claw hammer.
'Crucial witness'
But the case which could have far reaching legal consequences involves
Mr Van Colle and a finding by the the High Court in March 2006 that
Hertfordshire Police violated Articles 2 and 8 of the Human Rights Act.
Article 2 is often referred to as the right to life while Article 8 is
described as the right to respect for private and family life.
Mr Van Colle had been due to give evidence against Brougham, a former
employee, who was sacked for stealing.
But Monika Carss-Frisk QC, counsel for Mr Van Colle's family who are
also appealing against the halving of their damages to £25,000, said
police "did not even address the need to protect this crucial witness".
Three appeal judges rejected a challenge by the force that they had
violated his human rights by failing to "discharge the positive
obligation of the police" to protect his life.
The Home Office, Equality and Human Rights Commission and four
charities, Inquest, Justice, Liberty and Mind, are involved in the
actions before the court.
Previously the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has said a judgment
against Hertfordshire Police would result in "significant policy and
procedural change within the police force".
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/7532286.s
tm
Published: 2008/07/30 03:20:48 GMT
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