Met Police forced to call fire brigade to bust open their own safe … and find notorious murder case files they had LOST
DETECTIVES lost the key to a safe containing sensitive files on the notorious axe murder of private eye Daniel Morgan.
Papers from the case lay hidden in the cabinet for nine years until it was broken open by a fire crew in January.
Among the papers inside were 37 documents — a total of 95 pages — which should have been handed to an inquiry panel that had spent seven years looking at the Met Police’s handling of the case.
A further 23 documents, containing 71 pages, which should have been given to a police watchdog, were also unearthed.
The Met has apologised to Daniel’s brother, Alastair, who told The Sun yesterday: “My first thought was there was something to hide. It was grossly irresponsible.’’
Documents on the Morgan case were kept in a padlocked cabinet at New Scotland Yard but the key went missing in 2014.
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And former Met commander John O’Connor said: “They are the Keystone Cops. It is staggering that none of the senior management team noticed this safe in all that time or thought to even enquire what might be inside it.”
Daniel was killed in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, South London, in March 1987.
Five separate police investigations followed but the Met admitted they had been tainted by corruption.
Documents on the case were kept in a padlocked cabinet at New Scotland Yard but the key went missing in 2014.
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However, it was not until January this year that its disappearance was noticed and the London Fire Brigade was called in.
One source said: “Most of the documents were admin but it is very embarrassing.’’
The panel chair, Baroness Nuala O’Loan, has been informed.
The Met has also referred the matter to constabulary inspectors, which put the force in special measures last June for separate failings.
The Morgan inquiry was ordered by then-Home Secretary Theresa May in 2013 but only published its finding only in June 2021.
It accused the Met of “institutional corruption’’ with a culture of suppression and criticised former commissioner Dame Cressida Dick.
In a statement, the Met said it had made a careful assessment of the paperwork before handing the relevant pages to the panel and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.
Assistant Commissioner Barbara Gray said: “We fully acknowledge how unacceptable and deeply regrettable this situation is.
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“We are working to understand what has taken place and any impact. We apologise to the family of Daniel Morgan and to the panel.”
But former Met detective chief inspector Mick Neville scoffed: “It appears the Yard are now locking up files, rather than criminals, and throwing away the key.”
Who killed Daniel Morgan?
DANIEL Morgan was found murdered in a car park with an axe lodged into his skull 33 years ago.
But who killed the private investigator? Here's all you need to know.
Who murdered Daniel Morgan?
Despite the gruesome murder in a pub car park in 1987, Mr Morgan's killer hasn't been found.
Five different police inquiries were conducted - none of which led to any convictions due to a lack of evidence.
In 2009, five men were arrested and brought to trial for the case, but after dismissing key witnesses, the Director of Public Prosecutions abandoned the case in March 2011 and the men were acquitted.
The investigation has cost over £30million - and no witnesses have been found nor has anyone been convicted.
Mr Morgan's family believed that the Met Police were to blame for obstructing the case and failing to properly investigate.
What happened to Jonathan Rees, Glenn Vian and Garry Vian?
Jonathan Rees, Morgan's former business partner, and brothers Garry and Glenn Vian were charged with Morgan’s murder in 2008, along with a fourth man - James Cook.
In March 2010 the four, who had been on remand, were granted bail after their custody went beyond the set limit.
In mid-2010 Cook was discharged.
In 2011 a key piece of evidence was compromised and proceedings collapsed.
Glenn and Garry were then formally acquitted along with Rees.
In 2013 then-Home Secretary, Theresa May set up an inquiry into the Met's handling of Morgan’s death.
Four years later Rees and the Vian brothers sued the police for damages - but their claims were thrown out by a judge.
However in 2018 the Court of Appeal's civil division ruled in favour of the three men.
A High Court then ruled that Garry Vian would receive £104,000, and Rees and Glen would receive £155,000.
