Metropolitan Police has apologised to the family of private investigator Daniel Morgan over his 36-year unsolved murder following the force's multiple failings.
The constabulary paid out £2million to Mr Morgan's family this month as an independent probe discovered officers hid failings in a string of probes into the brutal axe killing.
The dad of two, 37, was attacked in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, South London, on March 10, 1987.
Five police inquiries, costing the taxpayer an estimated £30million, failed to get a conviction as Mr Morgan’s family battled for justice.
The family has received one of the biggest payouts in British policing history, in a settlement which also covers legal fees.
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Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologised the conduct of the officers who investigated the killing (Getty Images)And now, 36 years after the murder, Met Police has apologised to the family for the blunders. Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said today: "I unequivocally and unreservedly apologise for the failure of the Metropolitan Police Service to bring those responsible for the murder of Daniel Morgan to justice. From the earliest stages, his family have been repeatedly and inexcusably let down by the Metropolitan Police.
"This case has been marred by a cycle of corruption, professional incompetence, and defensiveness that has repeated itself over and over again. Daniel Morgan’s family were given empty promises and false hope as successive investigations failed and the Metropolitan Police prioritised its reputation at the expense of transparency and effectiveness.
"No words can do justice to the pain and suffering that has been a feature of the family’s lives for more than three decades as they have fought for justice, a fight which no family should have to endure. Their tenacious campaigning has exposed multiple and systemic failings in this organisation.
"I have met with the family and listened to vivid and moving accounts of the devastating impact those failings have had on their lives. They have explained how their trust in policing has been eroded. The personal commitment I made to tackling corruption in this organisation when I took over as Commissioner has never been stronger."
The father of two was found with an axe lodged in his skull and £1,000 in banknotes in a pocket in 1987 (PA)Five relatives, including Daniel’s brother Alastair, had lodged a civil claim alleging misfeasance in public office and breaches of the Human Rights Act.
A joint statement agreed between Met Police and the family of Daniel Morgan today tells of "an admission of liability" from the constabulary.
"The family of Daniel Morgan proposed to bring civil claims arising out of his murder on 10 March 1987 and the ensuing investigations into that murder, against the Metropolitan Police Commissioner," the statement reads.
The brutal axe attack happened in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, South London (Daily Express)"As a result of a formal mediation process in July 2023, the parties were able to agree a mutually satisfactory settlement of the proposed claims, including an admission of liability on behalf of the Commissioner in respect of the conduct of his officers in response to the murder.
"At the request of the family of Daniel Morgan, all other terms of the settlement are confidential to the parties. Accordingly, the parties will not be making any further comments to the media about the terms of settlement or the mediation."
During her tenure, ex-Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick apologised but denied her force was institutionally corrupt. She announced her resignation just months later, stating "the Mayor no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership".
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