Wpc murder: Yard team goes to Libya (From Witney Gazette)

Wpc murder: Yard team goes to Libya

3:08am Friday 25th May 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Scotland Yard is preparing to send a team of detectives to Libya to seek out new information which might lead to the killers of Wpc Yvonne Fletcher, who was shot outside the country's London embassy in 1984.

Libyan prime minister Abdurrahim El-Keib agreed the visit in talks with Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday, promising that his country would "work very closely together" with the UK to resolve outstanding questions about the killing.

The 25-year-old policewoman was shot dead as she policed an anti-Gaddafi demonstration outside the Libyan People's Bureau. The bullets which killed her and injured 10 protesters are believed to have come from inside the embassy, but no-one has ever been charged with her murder.

Her death led to an 11-day siege of the building in St James's Square and the severing of diplomatic links between the UK and Libya.

Mr El-Keib worked with the opposition while in exile during Muammar Gaddafi's dictatorship and said he knew some of those involved in the demonstration.

He told Mr Cameron: "The Fletcher case is a case that is close to my heart personally. I had friends who were demonstrating that day next to the embassy. It is a sad story. It is very unfortunate that it has anything to do with the Libyan people. I am here to tell you that we will work very closely together to resolve anything related to that issue."

Mr Cameron told the Libyan premier, who is on the second day of his visit to the UK: "I am absolutely delighted that we are working so closely together on issues of mutual interest, including having a Metropolitan Police team going to Libya to continue the investigation into the murder of Wpc Yvonne Fletcher. I think that is a really positive step forward and I know it will be welcomed by everyone in Britain."

Officers from New Scotland Yard and Home Office Minister James Brokenshire met Mr El-Keib on Thursday to discuss the Fletcher case.

Commander Richard Walton, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command welcomed the invitation to visit Libya and discuss taking the inquiry further forward with authorities there. Mr Walton said: "We have never lost our resolve to solve this murder and achieve justice for Yvonne's family. We see the announcement as significant."

Detectives remain in regular contact with Wpc Fletcher's family and will update them on developments.