The CPS will now bring criminal proceedings against police officer Paul White for perjury following the investigation into the evidence given by the officer at the inquest concerning the death of Sean Rigg.
This follows a review of the case under the recently introduced CPS Victims' Right to Review (VRR) scheme.
Sean Rigg died on 21 August 2008 whilst in police custody at Brixton police station. Mr Rigg was initially held in the police van for 11 minutes before being transferred into the police station. Following the investigation into Sean Rigg’s death, Paul White gave evidence at his inquest in July 2012.
Sue Hemming, Head of CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division said:
“The CPS Victims’ Right to Review scheme allows victims to seek a review of a CPS decision not to prosecute in certain circumstances. In this case the complainant’s bereaved family were eligible to apply and the case was referred to me to decide if the original decision not to prosecute was correct.
“After careful consideration of the evidence, I have decided that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to charge Paul White with one count of perjury which relates to the evidence he gave at Mr Rigg’s inquest and therefore the original decision should be overturned. I also considered evidence against another police officer but agreed with the original decision not to prosecute due to insufficient evidence.
"Proceedings are now active and the defendant has the right to a fair trial. It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
Paul White will appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on 8 September 2015.
