By Gabriel Princewill-
The High Court, presided over by Mrs. Justice Hill in Leeds, has overturned the Independent Office for Police Conduct’s (IOPC) decision to refuse a re-investigation into the death of Lewis Skelton(pictured).
The decision comes following mounting concerns regarding the conduct of police officers involved in the tragic incident.
Lewis Skelton, who had a documented history of mental health issues, tragically lost his life in an encounter with police officers in Hull.
Lewis Skelton was seen carrying an axe on Francis Street in Hull city centre on 29 November 2016, prompting armed officers to confront him.
Despite being armed with only a small hand axe and reportedly not posing an immediate threat, Skelton was subjected to four Taser shots before being fatally shot twice in the back by an armed officer identified as “B50.”
The incident sparked public outcry and raised questions about the use of force by law enforcement in cases involving individuals with mental health challenges.
In 2021, an inquest ruled Mr Skelton, who had mental health issues, had been unlawfully killed.
The IOPC decided not to re-investigate the shooting despite flaws in the initial review.
The recent ruling by Mrs. Justice Hill follows an extensive legal battle by Lewis Skelton’s family, who have tirelessly campaigned for justice and accountability.
Their efforts culminated in an Inquest Jury unanimously concluding that Skelton’s death was an unlawful killing—an outcome that underscored serious concerns regarding the actions of the officers involved.
The court’s decision to quash the IOPC’s refusal to re-investigate is a significant victory for the Skelton family, and advocates for police accountability.
Legal representatives for Mr Skelton’s family said the IOPC review had been “working on the basis that Mr Skelton posed a greater threat than was justified”.
In her ruling, Mrs Justice Hill said: “It must follow that if the flaws had not occurred, the decisions taken in the investigation might have been different.
“The defendant recognised that if the flaws had not been made, the investigator might have identified realistic alternative options other than the use of force.
“This effectively confirms that the flaws in the original investigation might have had an impact on the subsequent decisions.”
In a statement, Mr Skelton’s family said: “It is now seven-and-a-half years since Lewis was shot dead, there has still been no acceptance from Humberside Police, the officer, or the IOPC that anything really went wrong that day.
“All we have faced is constant denial and challenges at every stage and attempts to make us give up and go away.
“We have called for a proper investigation from the start – a chance for us to see justice for Lewis – and we’ve been ignored.”
Mrs. Justice Hill criticized the IOPC’s handling of the case, highlighting flaws in the original investigation that potentially skewed perceptions of Skelton’s behaviour and threat level.
She emphasized the importance of addressing these shortcomings to ensure a fair and impartial assessment of the circumstances leading to Skelton’s tragic death.
This landmark ruling not only challenges the IOPC’s decision-making process, but also raises broader questions about police accountability and the treatment of individuals with mental health issues.
The ruling also highlights the need for thorough and transparent investigations into cases of police misconduct, particularly those involving the use of lethal force.
The IOPC which regulates the police often does a good job in ensuring accountability, but has sometimes been caught falling short of the required standard.
This occasional failure calls for greater oversight of the regulatory body.
The Skelton family, represented by legal counsel Tim Moloney KC and Angela Patrick of Hudgell Solicitors, welcomed the court’s decision and called for a comprehensive re-investigation into Lewis Skelton’s death.