Burned informant Kester David's mother slams Met 'cover up'

The mother of a man whose burned body was found under a London railway arch has accused the police of covering up his death because he was an informant.

Kester David's body was discovered in Broomfield Lane, Palmers Green, in 2010.

His family believe he was killed for working as a police informant and have claimed police failed to look at CCTV or speak to witnesses promptly.

The IPCC has urged Scotland Yard to apologise for its handling of the case.

The initial investigation by Scotland Yard into Mr Kester's death concluded he committed suicide.

A year later an internal investigation, led by inspector Brian Casson, found a "catalogue of errors" and a "failing in duty" as full CCTV and mobile phone records were not checked and witnesses were not interviewed.

'Misconduct case'

His mother, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "It was all about covering up the fact he was a police informant and he was working for the police."

CCTV footage showing a man buying petrol on 6 July 2010 was recently released

BBC London's Alex Bushill, who saw a leaked Independent Police Complaints Commission report, said: "It details some of the most basic police work that wasn't done or was done very badly.

"For instance there's a failure to view all the CCTV footage, wrongly reporting the results of DNA tests or DNA tests that had been lost, and telling the coroner even the wrong time of death. "

In a statement, the IPCC said: "We have asked the Metropolitan Police to make a proper apology to Mr David's family.

"We have also asked the force to make it a matter of standard practice to inform complainants if an officer subject to complaint retires, as in this case.

"Despite their retirements, the IPCC has directed the force to amend its records to show that two officers who were involved in the original investigation into Mr David's death would have had a case to answer for misconduct."

Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "Once I've had a look at the report, of course if we need to apologise I will. "

Scotland Yard said the investigation into Mr David's death was on-going.