Private eye's family fight on

Daniel Morgan was 37 when he was murdered in 1987

The family of a private investigator murdered 17 years ago are to set up an action group.

Daniel Morgan, 37, originally from Llanfrechfa, Monmouthshire, was attacked with an axe in a pub car park in London on 10 March, 1987.

His family, from mid Wales and London, decided to establish the pressure group after the government refused to order a public inquiry.

There have been four investigations into the gruesome murder, with several arrests but no convictions.

After the end of the most recent inquiry by the Metropolitan Police last September, the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to continue and the family lobbied for their reasons, before finally being given an explanation last month.

Mr Morgan's brother, Alastair, said relatives were disappointed by the decision of Home Office Minister Hazel Blears not to order an inquiry, but "far from crushed by it".

"We're mobilising a growing support group of MPs, members of the House of Lords, a number of journalists and a prominent author to press for a full judicial inquiry," he said.

"As things stand, we already have the support of MPs Chris Smith and Roger Williams and Lord Livsey of Talgarth.

"Journalist Paul Foot has promised support, as has the Scottish writer Alasdair Gray.

"My mother and sister met Baroness Helena Kennedy QC after her talk at the Hay Festival. I have written to her to seek her formal support."

Mr Morgan added: "We will be meeting Roger Williams and Lord Livsey next week at the House of Commons."

'Shortcomings'

He said Ms Blears had "left open the option of a meeting," and the family would take up her offer after getting a copy of the report from the fourth inquiry.

But Mr Morgan said it was "highly unlikely" his family would take out a private prosecution or issue civil proceedings against anyone as a result of the fourth inquiry.

Daniel Morgan was the co-owner of a firm called Southern Investigations, which employed off-duty police officers.

The six-page document released by the CPS last month revealed that an informant who named suspects targeted in the latest police inquiry had already withdrawn his statements.

Added to that, the report said there was a lack of scientific evidence - for example blood or DNA - linking the murder to any suspect and that no clues were found around the crime scene to provide any clues about the identity of his attacker or attackers.

Detective Chief Superintendent David Cook, who led the last murder investigation, said: "We acknowledge that the initial investigation had shortcomings.

"There are things available now that were not available then such as DNA research."