New apology by North Wales Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom over dead biker pictures is rejected

The family of a motorcyclist whose decapitated body was shown in photographs to journalists has rejected a new apology from the police chief responsible.

North Wales chief constable Richard Brunstrom used images of 40-year-old Mark Gibney’s fatal crash to launch a road safety campaign in April without his family’s permission.

The force has already apologised and Richard Brunstrom’s actions are the subject of an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
The family called the latest apology “too little too late”.

A statement from the family said: “The Gibney family have received, in a letter dated June 8 2007, a further apology from the Chief Constable of North Wales. This apology is rejected by the Gibney Family.”

Richard Brunstrom could be dismissed from his post depending on the outcome of the IPCC investigation.

The Gibney family said: “The IPCC has confirmed to the Gibney Family that the evidence gathering phase of their investigation has now concluded and that they are now reviewing the available material to ascertain whether any criminal offences or misconduct offences have been committed by the Chief Constable of North Wales Police.”

MCN handed the IPCC names of 1600 riders calling for Richard Brunstrom to be dismissed in May. Around 300 riders attended a protest against the police chief’s actions in Llandudno earlier this month.

North Wales Police declined to comment on the Gibney family’s response to the latest apology.