An anti-fascist protester was killed by riot police during protests in London more than 30 years ago, a report released by the Metropolitan Police confirmed today.
Blair Peach (33), a teacher from New Zealand, was hit over the head by an officer who is suspected of conspiring with his colleagues to cover up their role, the report said.
His death before the 1979 election became a cause celebre for critics of police tactics, undermined trust in the London force and raised racial tensions in Britain's inner cities.
The first term in office of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, who won that election, was marked by some of the worst race riots in British history.
The Peach case was thrust back into the spotlight last year when a newspaper seller died during G20 demonstrations in London after being knocked down by a policeman.
Paul Stephenson, head of the Metropolitan Police, described the report on Peach's death as "deeply uncomfortable", but said a lack of evidence meant no officers would be charged.
"There are no further realistic avenues that we can pursue," he said after consulting public prosecutors. "That is a matter of deep regret."
After years of pressure from Peach's family and campaigners, Scotland Yard published two previously-secret reports compiled in 1979 by Commander John Cass, a former senior officer.
The reports confirmed what many of Peach's supporters have long believed: He was killed by a blow to the head by riot police. However, Cass could not prove which officer struck him.
"It can reasonably be concluded that a police officer struck the fatal blow," Cass wrote. "There are a number of witnesses who say that they saw Peach struck by a police officer."
About 2,750 police were at the demonstration in Southall, an area of west London with a large south Asian population.
Peach, a white member of the Anti-Nazi League, a campaign group, joined local Asians to protest against an election rally being held by the National Front, an anti-immigration party.
Reuters