Government’s ‘no comment’ on 3,500 strong ‘sack Brunstrom’ petition

Government has refused to comment in response to petition calling for North Wales chief constable Richard Brunstrom to be sacked which gained over 3,500 signatures.

 
The petition called for Brunstrom to be removed from his post for showing photos of a decapitated motorcyclist to journalists to launch a road safety campaign without permission from the dead man’s family.

The Government response said no comment would be made pending the outcome of an investigation into the matter by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

It said: “The matter to which you refer in your petition has been referred to the IPCC for investigation following a complaint about the use of the photographs.

“The investigation by the IPCC is continuing and it would be inappropriate for any comment to be made on the case at this time.”

The petition had stated: “We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to remove the North Wales Police chief from office as soon as possible.

“North Wales Police chief Richard Brunstrom has gone too far this time in showing pictures of deceased persons without the express permission of the person’s next of kin.”

The IPCC investigation into Brunstrom’s use of pictures of 40-year-old Mark Gibney’s fatal crash is due to conclude in October.

See the petition here: petitions.pm.gov.uk/RichardBrunstrom
And the Government’s reponse here: www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page13180.asp