We know who killed PC Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan embassy in 1984 - but it can't go to court, say police: Scotland Yard say a trial would 'risk national security'
- Killer of PC Yvonne Fletcher will escape justice for 'national security reasons'
- Scotland Yard said it had evidence to ID murderer but could not go to court
- Dossier of evidence said to have been blocked by Home Office ministers
- Key suspect Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk told investigation 'will not proceed'
- PC Fletcher's family said they were 'deeply diappointed' by the decision
The killers of PC Yvonne Fletcher will not face justice because police are unable to charge anyone for 'national security reasons'.
Scotland Yard issued an unprecedented statement yesterday saying that it had enough evidence to identify her murderer but cannot present it to a court.
It is understood that a dossier of evidence was blocked at ministerial level by the Home Office.
The key suspect, Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk, a former education minister in Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime who was arrested in connection with the shooting in April 1984, has been told by police the investigation against him will not proceed 'at this time'.
The killers of PC Yvonne Fletcher, pictured, will not face justice because police are unable to charge anyone for 'national security reasons', Scotland Yard confirmed
PC Fletcher was shot dead outside the Libyan embassy in London in 1984. A memorial stands in St James's Square nearby, pictured
The Libyan, in his 50s, who was teaching at a British university at the time, was held on suspicion of conspiracy to murder but has been released from bail without charge.
Last night the officer's family said they were 'deeply disappointed'.
PC Fletcher was killed as she policed a demonstration outside the Libyan embassy in St James's Square on April 17 1984.
The shooting sparked a ten-day siege of the building before 30 of the occupants were deported back to Libya.
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No one has ever been prosecuted over the killing, which led to the severing of ties between Libya and the UK.
Mabrouk was deported after the murder but returned to seek political asylum in 2011.
In 2015, he, his wife and son were also arrested on suspicion of money laundering amid claims he left Tripoli with tens of millions in state funds.
His arrest was described as a 'significant turning point'.
The police officer's family said they were 'deeply disappointed' at the lack of justice. Pictured are tributes left to PC Fletcher at the memorial
Among the evidence against him is thought to be a 'scathing' report on the shooting by the then deputy cabinet secretary Sir Anthony Duff. It has never been published or placed in the National Archives.
The Cabinet Office also refused to release any of it two years ago after a freedom of information battle, saying it holds information from the security services.
Yesterday the Met said: 'We believe our investigation has identified enough material to identify those responsible for WPC Fletcher's murder if it could be presented to a court.
'However, the key material has not been made available for use in court in evidential form for reasons of national security.
'Therefore, without this material and following a review of all the evidence available to prosecutors, the Crown Prosecution Service… have informed us that there is insufficient admissible evidence to charge the man.'
PC Fletcher's colleague John Murray, who cradled her in his arms as she lay dying, said yesterday: 'I am angry this information cannot be made public.
'I suspect there are certain politicians from the past who are very relieved about this decision.'
Speaking from his home in Chingford, north-east London, Mr Murray said he now hopes to bring a private prosecution against Mabrouk.
It is understood that a dossier of evidence into the death of the officer, pictured, was blocked at ministerial level by the Home Office
A Met spokesman said: 'This investigation will never be closed but the likelihood of finding further evidence, in Libya or elsewhere, is low.'
Last night PC Fletcher's family said in a statement: 'We are satisfied the Metropolitan Police has left no stone unturned in its pursuit of justice.
'We are deeply disappointed and frustrated that a prosecution cannot proceed at this time.
'We had hoped the latest turn of events would finally lead to some closure for the family.'
Last night Home Secretary Amber Rudd refused to say why the evidence could not be used.
Steve Kamlish QC, Mabrouk's lawyer, said: 'At no stage, either in interview or since, have the police produced any evidence against my client – not a shred.'
No one brought to justice: Timeline of key events in the PCs shooting
April 17, 1984
Pc Yvonne Fletcher, 25, is shot by a sniper while policing a protest outside the Libyan embassy in St James's Square, London, and 11 students are wounded. She is pronounced dead shortly afterwards at Westminster Hospital.
Her killer is thought to have been smuggled out of the country and back to Libya after the shooting. Her death leads to an 11-day siege of the building and the severing of diplomatic links between the UK and Libya.
1999
The Libyan government accepts 'general responsibility' for the killing and agrees to pay compensation to Pc Fletcher's family. British detectives also fly to Libya around that time to interview suspects but reportedly get little help.
2004
Efforts to investigate the killing are stepped up when then prime minister Tony Blair meets Colonel Gaddafi after he agrees to dismantle his country's weapons of mass destruction.
Police form a guard of honour as as Yvonne Fletcher's body travels to Salisbury Cathedral for her funeral service
June 2007
British detectives are able to interview the chief suspect for the first time following the normalisation of political ties with Libya. Detectives spend seven weeks in Libya interviewing witnesses and suspects.
September 2009
It emerges that the Foreign Office has conceded that any trial for the shooting will take place in Tripoli. It is reported that the agreement was struck three years previously, when trade deals worth hundreds of millions of pounds were being negotiated. Campaigners for Pc Fletcher's family brand the matter 'an absolute disgrace'.
February 2011
Major political protests begin in Libya against Gaddafi's government and civil war breaks out.
August 2011
The Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) says that Abdulqadir al-Baghdadi, one of the suspects for Pc Fletcher's murder, has been shot in the head. Junior diplomat Abdulmagid Salah Ameri, who was suspected of firing the fatal shots, is also thought to have died.
Tony Blair met Colonel Gaddafi in 2004, raising new hopes the case might be solved
October 20, 2011
Gaddafi dies after being captured by rebel troops, leading to scenes of wild jubilation in the country he formerly ruled as well as across the world. His death leads to new hope that Pc Fletcher's killer will be brought to justice.
November, 2011
A senior British diplomat says he is confident that Scotland Yard detectives will soon be allowed to visit Libya.
May 24, 2012
Prime Minister David Cameron announces that a Metropolitan Police team is to fly to Libya to continue the investigation after discussing the matter with the country's interim prime minister Abdurrahim El-Keib during a visit to Downing Street. Mr El-Keib promises Libya will 'work very closely' with the UK.
May 25, 2012
Mr El-Keib visits the spot where Pc Fletcher died and leaves a wreath of white roses and carnations.
May 26, 2012
Mr El-Keib tells the Guardian Abdullah al-Senussi, one of Gaddafi's most senior henchmen who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, is the 'black box' who knows who carried out the killing. 'I guarantee he was almost directly or indirectly involved in most if not all of the crimes (of the Gaddafi regime),' he tells the paper. 'That doesn't mean others weren't involved. But he definitely knows who they were.'
An officer lays flowers at the site of the shooting during a memorial service in 2014
June 14, 2012
Scotland Yard says two detectives from its counter-terrorism team have visited Tripoli where they met Libyan officials for 'preliminary discussions' about how the investigation can be taken forward.
April 17, 2014
A memorial service is held in St James's Square to mark the 30th anniversary of Pc Fletcher's murder. In a statement after the service, her family said: 'We have had to move on with our lives but it is difficult to move forward when the past remains unresolved.'
November 19, 2015
Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouki is arrested in south-east England on suspicion of conspiring to murder Pc Fletcher, in what police describe as 'the first significant arrest' of the investigation into her death.
November 20, 2015
The Libyan suspect is released on police bail the day after his arrest.
May 17, 2017
Scotland Yard says its 'best opportunity' to solve the case is ended by a decision that crucial evidence is inadmissible in court for national security reasons. The Libyan suspect is released from police bail without charge and told the investigation against him will not proceed 'at this time'.
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