Plymouth shootings: Families 'deeply disappointed' at delayed response

Floral tributes were laid following the shootings in Plymouth in August 2021

The families of the Plymouth shooting victims are "deeply disappointed" at a delay in responses to a coroner's recommendations, their lawyer says.

The government had been given extra time to respond by Tuesday, but was granted another extension to 30 June.

Policing Minister Chris Philp said the government was still "carefully considering" its response.

But lawyer Patrick Maguire said ministers appeared to be "kicking the can down the road".

Jake Davison, 22, used a legally-held shotgun to kill his mother Maxine Davison, 51, and four others before shooting himself in the Keyham area in August 2021.

Three-year-old Sophie Martyn, her father, Lee, 43, Stephen Washington, 59, and Kate Shepherd, 66, were all killed.

Maxine Davison, Sophie and Lee Martyn, Kate Shepherd and Stephen Washington were killed in August 2021

Mr Maguire, who represents the Shepherd, Washington and Martyn families, said the families had been given no advance notice nor explanation for the delay.

"It's deeply disappointing for my clients," he said.

"My clients' main concern is, during this period of time, there's delay, and while there's delay things don't change, and if things don't change more lives are, potentially, going to be lost."

He added that it appeared the government might be "trying to kick the can down the road and hope it all goes away".

Mr Philp said the government was grateful to receive the coroner's report.

"I would like to express my condolences to the families and friends of the victims and the people of Keyham, who are waiting for our response," he said.

"We are still carefully considering the coroner's recommendations and have agreed a further short extension with him.

"The government response will be sent to the coroner in full and announced to Parliament on the same day."

After the inquest in February, senior coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon, Ian Arrow, wrote a series of prevention of future deaths reports, saying current gun laws were "at odds with public safety".

He said he was concerned "weapons may remain in the hands of individuals who pose a risk to the public".

Follow BBC News South West on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].