Trial of GMP over death of Anthony Grainger collapses

“The prosecution related to the police planning for, and the police actions leading to, the intended arrest of Anthony Grainger and others.

There will no longer be a trial. At the time that the charge was authorised, the CPS was satisfied, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, that there was sufficient evidence available to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction and that it was in the public interest to prosecute.

We have considered the rulings made by the Judge that there is material which needs to be disclosed in open court in order for the defendant to have a fair trial. After consulting with relevant parties, we have concluded that we are unable to reveal that material for public interest reasons. We are therefore unable to proceed.”

“I do not believe that it was ever right to spend the best part of a year pursuing the truth by using health and safety legislation. Health and safety laws are in place, rightly, to protect workers and the public in the workplace. They are not intended to sit in judgement on policing operations such as these, as the collapse of this case has shown.

“Central Government must review this case to ensure the proper lessons are learnt. We cannot have years go by in tragic cases like this before proper conclusions can be drawn. We cannot have major matters of public policy being determined by health and safety legislation that was not drawn up with this kind of case in mind. I will be raising this directly with the Home Secretary.”

“It is now nearly three years since the death of Anthony Grainger during an armed policing operation by Greater Manchester Police Officers investigating individuals suspected of being involved in serious criminality. The family of Mr Grainger deserve to understand the events that led to Anthony's death on that Saturday evening in 2012.

“The Coronial process is still to conclude and as such Greater Manchester Police are unable to comment any further on Mr Grainger's death. The Force recognises that will be frustrating for many people, but it is important to respect the integrity of the Coronial process so that the full facts can be established without any prejudice.

“Greater Manchester Police wishes to extend its sympathy to Anthony Grainger's family who will no doubt be hugely disappointed with the events of today. Today's decision only reinforces the necessity for a different and more timely process of enquiry into these types of incidents.”