Family’s anguish as suspect in the shooting of PC Yvonne Fletcher is released from bail – as cops say national security prevents evidence being used against him in court
The Libyan national, who is in his 50s, has been told the investigation against him will not proceed "at this time"
A PRIME suspect in the shooting of PC Yvonne Fletcher was released from police bail yesterday as cops said national security prevented evidence being used against him in court.
Dr Saleh Ibrahim Mabrouk, in his 50s, was in charge of suppressing opposition to Libyan tyrant Colonel Gaddafi.
He claimed asylum in the UK after the dictator’s fall in 2011 and was arrested by the Met over the 1984 murder of the unarmed PC.
She was 25 and had been on duty at an anti-Gaddafi demo when an automatic weapon was fired from the country’s London embassy.
The Met said it had “enough material to identify those responsible”.
But “key material has not been made available for use in evidential form for reasons of national security”.
The force refused to elaborate but informed Mabrouk he was being released from bail.
Met assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said the decision was taken with “regret” — and vowed the hunt for Yvonne’s killers would continue. Her family said they were “deeply disappointed and frustrated”.
Steve White, of the Police Federation, said: “Can the law really be fit for purpose? This will look to many like people can get away with murder.”
Ken Marsh, chairman of the Met Police Federation branch, added: “We still cling on to hope we will get who did it.”
A family statement said: “We understand that some available evidence could not be used in court but are satisfied that the Metropolitan Police has left no stone unturned in its pursuit of justice in Yvonne’s case.
“The family would like to thank the Met for its continued hard work and diligence and also for always keeping us informed at every turn.
“We are deeply disappointed and frustrated that a prosecution cannot proceed at this time.
“We had hoped that the latest turn of events would finally lead to some closure for the family.
“The family will make no further comment at this time.”
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