MET top brass fear a further walkout by firearms officers after a judge yesterday ruled a policeman charged with murder should be publicly named.
The officer accused over rapper Chris Kaba’s death can be identified for the first time from January 30 next year, eight months before his trial is due to start.
APThe officer accused over rapper Chris Kaba’s death can be identified for the first time from January 30 next year[/caption]
Significant information had been received about threats against the accused after Mr Kaba, 24, was shot dead in September last year, it emerged at an Old Bailey hearing.
But Judge Mark Lucraft, KC ruled the officer’s name and date of birth should be allowed to be made public in three months’ time.
He said in a written ruling: “In my judgment the naming of the defendant or the giving out of his date of birth does not give rise to a real and immediate risk to his life.”
But he barred the defendant’s home address and photograph from being published.
His lawyers argued his identification should not be revealed and were expected to appeal.
More than 300 Met armed officers handed in their guns when he was charged.
Colleagues of NX121 were devastated by the CPS decision to charge him with murder and staged a temporary walkout because they did not feel able to carry a firearm.
They returned to work three days later after being reassured by Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley that NX121 was being supported by the force and their concerns were being addressed.
Met leaders now fear a repeat of the walkout with the timing coinciding with increased tensions in London caused by the Hamas attacks in Israel.
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