A man in his sixties has been arrested over shock allegations of fraud linked to the campaign for the killer of WPC Yvonne Fletcher to be brought to justice, police revealed today.
WPC Fletcher was shot outside what was then the Libyan embassy in London 40 years ago, but no-one has ever been charged over her death.
The 25-year-old was one of 50 officers policing a protest against Colonel Gaddafi’s regime when she was tragically hit by a burst of gunfire from a first-floor window of the embassy.
It emerged today that the Metropolitan Police received allegations of financial irregularities linked to a campaign demanding justice for WPC Fletcher in July.
The inquiry was passed to Cheshire Police to avoid any conflict of interest.
Today, the Cheshire force revealed that its officers had made the arrest in north London on Tuesday, where they are also searching a property.
Detective Constable Ed Currie, from the Cheshire Police Economic Crime Unit, said: ‘We understand the concern that this arrest is likely to cause, and our colleagues from the Met Police are closely linked with the family of Yvonne who have been updated on today’s developments.
‘As part of ongoing inquiries, we’re keen to hear from anyone who believes that they may, at any time, have donated to the campaign to bring about justice for WPC Yvonne Fletcher.
‘This is not linked to Yvonne’s family nor is it to be confused with the official Police Memorial Trust charity.’
WPC Fletcher’s former colleague and close friend John Murray, who cradled her in his arms as she lay dying, has been trying to bring a private prosecution against one of the men suspected of being responsible for her death.
In 2019 the retired officer sued Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk – a former minister in Gaddafi’s government – for damages in the High Court.
In 2021, judge Mr Justice Spencer found Mabrouk jointly liable for WPC Fletcher’s shooting.
He said although Mabrouk did not fire the shots himself, he was a ‘prime mover’ in the officer’s killing.
The Court of Appeal then refused Mabrouk – who lives in Libya – permission to appeal against the judgement.
Mabrouk denied any wrongdoing in a response sent to the court from Libya.
Mr Murray told the Guardian her ‘terrorist murder’ was ‘one of the worst atrocities executed by Gaddafi’.
He added: ‘To this very day, the quest for justice for Yvonne continues and, although we have had historic victories in both the High Court and Appeal Court, the man who allegedly orchestrated Yvonne’s murder continues to live freely.
‘If the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] cannot or will not proceed with criminal charges, the only option available is to embark on our own legal action in the criminal courts.’
After a ten-day siege of the embassy by police, Margaret Thatcher’s government allowed all the Libyans to leave because they had diplomatic immunity.
In 2017 the Crown Prosecution Service dropped a possible case against one of the suspects.
The decision was made because some of the evidence against him could not be used in court because of its connection with national security matters.
Laying a wreath on the 40th anniversary of her murder for a memorial service in St James’s Square, Westminster close to the site where she fell, Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: ‘WPC Yvonne Fletcher was just 25 when she was callously murdered.
‘She was simply doing her job, policing protest, not unlike what many officers do so often today.
‘She had her whole career and her whole life ahead of her.
‘Today, 40 years on from that terrible day, I join with all in the Met and across policing in paying tribute to her, in recognising her sacrifice and in keeping her family, friends and colleagues in our thoughts.’