The Metropolitan police today revealed it had bowed to a family campaign and asked prosecutors to consider bringing criminal charges against a driver who killed a cyclist in Regent Street.
BBC journalist Anna Tatton-Brown, the daughter of cyclist Michael Mason, will tonight join campaigners at a vigil and “die-in” protest to mark the first anniversary of his death.
Her lawyers had written to the Met and the Crown Prosecution Service asking them to reconsider the decision not to prosecute Gale Purcell over her father’s death from traumatic brain injury after he was hit from behind.
In response to inquiries from the Standard, the Met released a statement saying an internal review had backed its original decision not to prosecute.
An inquest at Westminster coroner’s court recorded a verdict of death by road traffic accident.
But the Met statement added: “Legal representatives of the family of Mr Mason have written to the Met Police to challenge the decision not to refer the matter to the CPS, prompting an investigation by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards. The DPS supported the Detective Inspector’s original decision, but have referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions.”
Teacher Mr Mason, 70, died in hospital on March 14 last year, following the collision on February 25 near the BBC.
Met collision investigator Pc Brian Gamble told the inquest last December “there was a view available” of Mr Mason to Mrs Purcell. Mrs Purcell told the inquest she had not seen him.
Det Con Andrew Meikle said police did not prosecute because of a lack of CCTV evidence. Ms Tatton-Brown, 33, said: “We are still struggling with the loss of Mick and the failure of the justice system to deal with his death.”
The initial decision not to prosecute led Mr Mason’s family to consider bringing a private prosecution in conjunction with the Cyclists’ Defence Fund charity. An appeal has raised £9,300 of the £30,000 needed.
Tonight’s vigil, which will leave Waterloo Place at 6pm and follow the route of Mr Mason’s last ride, will also remember 15 other cyclists killed in London since his death, four this year.
Donations can be made at justgiving.com/justiceformichael.
