Lawyer's family deny video leak

Mark Saunders' family want the inquiry into his death to be ruled unlawful

The family of a lawyer shot dead by police have denied leaking confidential details about the incident.

The family of Mark Saunders were "enormously distressed" by claims they discussed video footage of the siege with the press, the High Court heard.

They want the police inquiry into the killing in west London to be ruled unlawful because officers were allowed to confer before making statements.

The divorce lawyer died in May after a five-hour siege at his Chelsea flat.

Lawyers representing the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said video footage of the siege was shown to the family "in confidence".

"No public risk"

Dinah Rose, QC, said: "It is a matter of very great concern that members of the Saunders family have made statements to the press purporting to describe the contents of the video evidence."

What was made public was "not an accurate picture of what is seen in the video", she added.

But Tim Owen, QC, for the family, strenously denied the claims.

"The central allegation of deliberately leaking material they knew was confidential and doing so in an inaccurate way is not accepted.

"The way in which these allegations have been made has caused enormous distress and trauma to the whole family."

Charlotte Saunders, Mr Saunders' sister, has said that the video footage showed her brother posed "no risk to the public".

She has claimed that the moment Mr Saunders was shot, the gun was being held limply in his left hand.

The hearing continues.