'Secret' Duggan file lost in post

A computer disk contained a secret file on the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan by police has been lost, it has been reported.

The data is thought to have gone missing after being sent in the post by the Ministry of Justice, according to the Mail on Sunday.

Sources told the newspaper that the file may contain the name of the police marksman who killed Mr Duggan and the identities of the other officers involved.

None of the officers were identified after the shooting in August 2011 in Tottenham, north London, which sparked nationwide riots.

Scotland Yard confirmed it was examining the case.

A force spokesman said: "We have carried out a full risk assessment on the material that we have been informed was on the disc, and have taken the necessary steps.

"Due to the nature of the material we are not prepared to discuss what those steps entail. The Metropolitan Police Service has offered its full support in attempting to locate the disc."

A number of Whitehall departments are involved in the investigation, which is being led by the Cabinet Office.

A Government spokesman said: "We take all issues relating to data handling seriously. As such, an immediate investigation has been launched and all necessary steps are being taken.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further until that investigation has taken place."

The Information Commissioner's Office - the UK's data watchdog - is making inquiries into the case.