Birmingham riot deaths inquiry request 'considered'

The Home Office would "consider a request for a public inquiry" into the investigation of how three Birmingham men died during the 2011 riots.

It said police failures identified in a report were "troubling".

Tariq Jahan, whose son was among the three men hit by a car in Winson Green in August 2011, has called for a full inquiry.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has cleared a senior detective of wrongdoing.

Relatives of the victims said the IPCC's report did not address a judge's accusations that the officer "invented evidence".

'Deeply troubling'

Mr Jahan has appealed for Home Secretary Teresa May to launch an inquiry into "broader issues" surrounding the case.

The three victims, Haroon Jahan, 20, and brothers Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, were part of a group of about 80 men who had gathered to defend local businesses after riots and looting had started in the Handsworth area.

Eight men were charged with the men's murder but later cleared by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court.

The Home Office said it was aware that Mr Jahan's MP, Shabana Mahmood, had written to the Home Secretary, and said "any formal request for a public inquiry would be considered once it is received".

A spokesman said: "The IPCC's conclusions are deeply troubling - it is clear that the professional standards expected of all police officers were not met in this individual case.

"It is vital we do not allow the actions of a few officers to undermine public confidence in policing."

In response to this statement, Mr Jahan said: "I'm not going to get my hopes up high.

"Twice we've been let down by the system, one by the court and the IPCC decision.

"But I'm looking forward to hearing what else they have to say."

The IPCC found there had been failings in the West Midlands Police investigation but found Det Ch Insp Anthony Tagg should not face disciplinary procedures.

This was despite trial judge Mr Justice Flaux accusing the officer of lying under oath.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said in September there was insufficient evidence to prove he had knowingly made a false statement to enable perjury charges to be brought.

The IPCC found Det Insp Khalid Kiyani had offered immunity from prosecution to potential witnesses during the investigation.

It ruled the officer "would have had a case to answer for gross misconduct" had he not retired before the inquiry was complete.

Haroon Jahan, Shazad Ali and Abdul Musavir were run over during 2011's riots

It said it was satisfied Det Ch Insp Tagg had no knowledge of Det Insp Kiyani's actions.

Asked if criticisms of Det Insp Kiyani were unfair, Waseem Zaffar, a Labour councillor on Birmingham City Council who has worked closely with him, said: "I think Kiyani has been made a scapegoat in this particular issue."

West Midlands Police said he had left the force as a result of the A19 regulations that require officers with 30 years' service to retire.

The West Midlands police and crime commissioner Bob Jones backed the call for a public inquiry.

He said: "All the IPCC is able to do is request information from certain parts of the justice system.

"A judicial inquiry can summon the witnesses, get the proper investigations done and get the whole picture."

Mr Jones questioned why the IPCC's conclusions were "markedly different to those of [the judge]" and said "serious questions... need to be answered by the courts, CPS and IPCC."