Metropolitan Police's £2 million settlement ends decades-long battle for justice

Metropolitan Police Apologize and Agree Settlement with Family of Private Detective Daniel Morgan

The Metropolitan Police has reached a £2 million settlement with the family of murdered private detective Daniel Morgan, admitting liability for a long history of corruption and incompetence that plagued investigations into his 1987 axe killing. This payout is one of the largest in British policing history.

The Long Fight for Justice

The 36-year fight for justice by the family of murdered private detective Daniel Morgan has finally come to an end with the Metropolitan Police admitting liability for their errors and corruption. Morgan's family believes he was about to expose police corruption when he was silenced, and they have long accused the police of shielding his killers.

A Troubled Investigation

The Metropolitan Police has apologized for its handling of the Daniel Morgan murder probe and has agreed to a settlement with his family. This case has been plagued by corruption and incompetence, and the police have faced criticism for prioritizing their reputation over transparency and effectiveness.

Systemic Failings and Official Inquiry

The Met commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, issued an apology to the family and admitted that the force had prioritized its reputation over transparency and effectiveness. He acknowledged the cycle of corruption, professional incompetence, and defensiveness that has plagued the case, and the family's relentless campaigning has exposed multiple systemic failings within the organization. An official inquiry ordered by former Home Secretary Theresa May found that the Met was institutionally corrupt and that Rowley's predecessor, Cressida Dick, obstructed the panel investigating the case.

The Settlement and the End of a Battle

The financial settlement brings an end to the family's decades-long battle for justice. Daniel Morgan's brother, sister, widow, and children started a civil claim alleging misfeasance in public office and breaches of the Human Rights Act. The terms of the settlement are confidential, and both parties have agreed not to make any further comments to the media.

Questions Remain

The settlement with the Morgan family marks a significant development in this long and troubled investigation, but questions still remain about the failures and misconduct that allowed the murder to go unsolved for so many years. The Met has faced multiple investigations into its handling of the case, with a 2021 inquiry finding that the force was institutionally corrupt. The current commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, has expressed his personal commitment to tackling corruption within the organization.