Oake medal refusal 'insult' claim

DC Stephen Oake was stabbed during an anti-terrorism raid

Refusing a posthumous George Cross to murdered Special Branch officer Stephen Oake is an insult to his memory, Home Secretary John Reid has been told.

It was also an affront to all officers, Police Federation chairman Jan Berry told 1,000 officers at the group's annual conference in Bournemouth.

She urged Mr Reid, seated alongside her, to press for the highest civilian accolade for Dc Oake, who died aged 40.

He was fatally stabbed during an anti- terrorism raid at Manchester in 2003.

Stephen was a once in a generation officer Jan Berry, chair Police Federation

Mr Reid was making his first appearance as home secretary before rank-and-file officers.

Ms Berry said: "We fully understand that the George Cross is an extremely rare accolade - awarded once in a generation.

"Stephen was a once-in-a-generation officer. "He went beyond the call of duty, knowing the full risks that he was taking.

"Yet some anonymous officials decided that this selfless act did not meet the criteria.

Bourgass stabbed Mr Oake eight times

"This decision is nothing less than an insult to the memory of an extraordinary officer, and an affront to all police officers."

She turned to Mr Reid and said: "I, we and the whole police service implore you to right this wrong."

Dc Oake was nominated by Greater Manchester Police but the Home Office said standards for awarding the gallantry awards were "extremely high".

A spokesman said: "All recommendations are considered on their merit on the advice of others."

The George Cross is the civilian equivalent to the Victoria Cross and has not been awarded to a police officer for 30 years.

It is given for "acts of the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger".

Mr Oake was a married father-of-three from Poynton, Cheshire.

Kitchen knife

Police had launched a nationwide search to find Kamel Bourgass, who fled from London to Manchester after officers discovered a suspected chemical weapons laboratory in Wood Green, London.

On 14 January 2003, Mr Oake was called to a flat in Crumpsall and was stabbed as he tried to restrain Bourgass and stop him getting away.

In a desperate bid to flee the scene, Bourgass attacked Mr Oake with a kitchen knife, plunging the blade into his chest eight times, piercing his heart and lungs.

Ricin plot

Bourgass was wanted by police after they had discovered evidence of a ricin and explosives plot in his flat in Wood Green, north London, in 2002.

Earlier, CID constables' representative for Greater Manchester Police Steve Clough criticised the "lamentable and perverse" decision not to award Mr Oake a bravery medal.

To applause, he asked police minister Liam Byrne: "Would the decision have been any different if we as a federation had promised an interest-free loan to the Labour Party?"

Home Secretary

Mr Reid told the conference that awarding the George Cross was not a matter for the home secretary.

But he added: "I intend to familiarise myself with this at the earliest opportunity.

"I'm not quite sure which committee makes the decision.

"But I'm sure it will be full of people who have rarely been on the streets risking their lives, and I intend to familiarise myself with that as well."

Mr Reid said he was limited on what he could say about the case, but told Mrs Berry she could "read what you like" into his comments.