An ex-cop believes “incontrovertible” new evidence going before a court this week will help win justice for his murdered colleague Yvonne Fletcher.
John Murray, who cradled the dying WPC in his arms outside the Libyan Embassy in April 1984, has battled for decades to bring charges against the man he believed ordered her death.
On Wednesday, a three-day civil hearing will take place at the High Court in London – funded by Murray’s life savings and the Police Federation.
About 100 past and serving Met officers are expected to attend the hearing against Libyan Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk, who is the main suspect in the case and now a politician in his home country.
He has been served legal papers but is not expected to travel to London to formally defend himself.
The case essentially seeks personal injury damages from Mabrouk to Murray as compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder he suffered due to the killing of Yvonne.
Murray believes that proving culpability for one will automatically establish blame for the murder of the police officer.
He will present his evidence to a High Court judge, as will three other ex-officers. About 20 have presented written evidence to support the claims against Mabrouk.
The Aberdonian is seeking exemplary £1 damages against Mabrouk, who was previously charged in connection with the death, then released amid enduring claims he was a UK spy.
Murray hopes success will lead to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reopening the criminal investigation into the man they believed ordered a lethal shot to be fired.
Murray said: “I am very confident that the case we will present against Mabrouk will be overwhelming. His absence would be an indication of his guilt.
“I have never suggested that Mabrouk pulled the trigger but I believe we have sufficient evidence to prove he was responsible for the murder.
“We have new evidence, which was not available at the time he was arrested. That will be substantial and will prove the case without doubt. It’s incontrovertible, in my opinion.
“What I’m hoping is for the judge to find in our favour and make a recommendation to the CPS to review the original decision not to go ahead with criminal charges.
“He wouldn’t have to be tried in the UK as a neutral administration could be arranged.”
He added: “We will apply to get our costs back, which are obviously substantial. I believe he may still have property in the UK.
“The case has cost me over £120,000 – pretty much all I have. The least I expect is a moral victory.”
Murray, 65, was the last person to speak to Yvonne. They had been monitoring a tense rally against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. She was shot by a mystery gunman – believed to be acting on orders.
Murray’s pledge in that moment, spoken aloud, was to win justice for his colleague.
Mabrouk, an ex-aide to Gaddafi, denies claims he was responsible in a letter to the High Court. He was arrested in 2015 but was told two years later the case would not go forward on national security grounds, even though police said they had enough evidence to bring him to court.
Mabrouk was a senior member of the “revolutionary committee” that ran the Libyan embassy in 1984. Last year the Home Office secretly barred him returning to the UK.
The CPS said: “The death of PC Yvonne Fletcher was tragic.
“In any case referred to the CPS by the police, a decision to prosecute is made in accordance with our legal test.”
