Police gun probe may go to Europe

A coroner's verdict Mr Stanley was unlawfully killed was quashed

The case of two officers arrested over the fatal shooting of a man could be taken to the European Court of Human Rights, police leaders said.

The Metropolitan Police Federation said it is "ridiculous" the inquiry into the shooting of Harry Stanley in London in 1999 had taken so long.

The officers, Ch Insp Neil Sharman and Pc Kevin Fagan, have been questioned on suspicion of murder.

Mr Stanley was shot after a table leg he was carrying was mistaken for a gun.

Ch Insp Sharman and Pc Fagan have also been held on suspicion of manslaughter, gross negligence and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The officers are very, very angry about their treatment and the fact that this matter has gone on for almost six years Glen Smyth Metropolitan Police Federation

Surrey Police, which carried out the arrest of the officers, is due to prepare a file on the case for the Crown Prosecution Service.

Under the Human Rights Act Glen Smyth, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation (MPF), said the officers are entitled to a "necessary, proportionate and timely" investigation, which he claimed should be the subject of an inquiry.

"The officers are very, very angry about their treatment and the fact that this matter has gone on for almost six years," he said.

"There are a number of cases where we have sought legal advice in relation to officers being treated unfairly in terms of the Human Rights Act, where they have been subject to investigation over an extraordinarily long period of time."

New evidence

Mr Smyth said the whole incident involving Mr Stanley probably lasted less than 45 seconds.

"They feel that they have been wronged and they would like to put that wrong right," he said.

The officers were arrested after Surrey Police said it had discovered new forensic evidence in the case.

The force was called in to investigate after a second inquest into Mr Stanley's death concluded he was unlawfully killed. That verdict was quashed by a High Court judge last month.

A Surrey Police spokesman said the force has not been notified of possible legal action by the MPF.