Call for 'safer' police weapons after James Fox shot dead in Enfield

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A coroner has suggested officers should carry weapons less likely to kill people following the fatal shooting of a mentally-ill man by police.

James Fox, 43, was hit five times after two Metropolitan Policeofficers opened fire as he opened the door of his flat in Enfield on August 30 last year.

Jurors at an inquest, held in September, found Mr Fox's death was lawful, adding the officers believed they needed to use force to defend themselves.

North London Coroner’s Court heard the two officers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, shot Mr Fox as he raised a weapon towards them.

At a further hearing today, coroner Andrew Walker raised the issue of the spread and number of shots fired as he received submissions from legal representatives for the Fox family and Met Police. 

Barrister Matthew Butt, for the police force, said it would be an "unfair premise" to assume firearms officers were "poor shots", telling the court some of the circumstances of Mr Fox's death were "impossible to train for".

However, the coroner queried whether another sort of weapon could be made available that would be less likely to result in small, yet deadly, wounds.

He said: "The difficulty here is, should there be consideration at these close ranges of another sort of firearm that does not cause small, penetrating injuries but (rather) uses a larger projectile to knock a person to the ground?

"I can't imagine that in this day and age, it would not be possible to produce a large-calibre, reliable, short-range weapon that was capable of incapacitating a person."

Mr Butt said there was no such device at present that came close to meeting the required standard but acknowledged "everyone wants to avoid a situation like this".

Barrister Owen Greenhall, for the family, told the court that officers needed more specific training to prepare them to deal with "unexpected confrontation".

He added the late man's family also had concerns about the "practical availability" of heavy or two-handed shields used by officers. 

The coroner indicated he would compile a preventing future deaths report, including finalised recommendations, to be disseminated to parties at a later date.

Speaking after the initial hearing, Commander Matt Twist, in charge of armed policing, said on behalf of the Met: “The officers had seconds to act when Mr Fox opened his front door and pointed what looked like a gun at them. 

“No police officer wants to take someone's life. We ask our armed officers, and indeed expect them, to make split second decisions, in some of the most complex, fast moving and dangerous situations, to protect the public, their colleagues and themselves.

"All of our firearms officers are experienced police officers who volunteer for the additional responsibility and immense scrutiny that comes with carrying a gun.”

Eurostar to run direct London to Amsterdam

Staff reporter(wp/es):

Eurostar is pressing ahead with plans for direct services between London and Amsterdam despite a drop in passenger numbers.

The operators of the cross-Channel high-speed rail service suffered a 10 per cent year-on-year decline in passenger numbers during the third quarter but said plans for the new route were “progressing well.”

The new service would provide a rival to airlines transporting 3 million people a year from London to Holland.

Chief Executive Nicolas Petrovic said Eurostar was making a “major investment” in its fleet, service and stations to equip the business for expansion.

“The launch of our Amsterdam route at the end of next year marks a key milestone and represents a significant growth opportunity for the future,” he told the Financial Times.

Conservative MP and Brexit supporter resigns over 'policy differences' with Government

Political reporter(wp/es):

Brexit Leave campaigner Stephen Phillips has resigned from the Conservative party due to "irreconcilable differences” with Theresa May.

The MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham has left with immediate effect after announcing he had “very significant policy differences” with the current Government.

Mr Phillips, who has repeatedly called for Theresa May to reveal her Brexit plan to Parliament before beginning the formal process of leaving the European Union, said he was "unable to properly represent" his constituents.

It comes after the High Court ruled that the Prime Minister must get parliamentary approval before triggering Article 50 to begin the formal process of leaving the EU.

In a statement, Mr Phillips said: "It has been a great honour to serve the people of Sleaford and North Hykeham for the last six years, but it has become clear to me over the last few months that my growing and very significant policy differences with the current Government mean that I am unable properly to represent the people who elected me.

"This decision has been a difficult one and I hope that everyone will respect the fact that I have tried to act in the best interests of all of my constituents."

A Conservative Party spokesman said: "Stephen Phillips has been a valuable member of Parliament since 2010 and we are sorry that he has chosen to step down. 

“We thank him for his hard work and we wish him every success in the future."

His resignation will trigger a by-election in his seat, where he had a majority of more than 24,000 at last year's general election.

Man dies after being hit by train at east London Tube station

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A man has died after being hit by a train in front of shocked passengers at East Ham Tube station 

British Transport Police were called to the station, in east London, at 11.20am today to reports of a person struck by a train.

Onlookers described “mayhem” as upto 100 people were evacuated from the station which was closed following the incident.

Journalist Sam Neve arrived at the station to find it was sealed-off by police and said he had “never seen anything like it”.

The 22-year-old told the Standard: “All police were saying was that there was a person on the track.

"I could hear sirens and the rapid response police and fire brigade were there. 

"Another half dozen police cars then turned up on the scene along with the air ambulance and its crew. 

"Police were asking for any witnesses outside the station but nobody came forward and then all of the doors were to the station were closed. 

"Buses were all stopped about 11 of them all lined up down the road."

He added: “It’s all getting a bit manic."

Clive Power, from Manor Park, told the Newham Recorder: “There are lots of people in fancy uniforms and some kind of special response unit is here.

“People are not too scared, just waiting around for some kind of guidance – there must be about 50 to100 of us here.

“The station is shut but there is one train on the platform still.”

A BTP spokesman confirmed that the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

He added: "Officers are on scene alongside the London Ambulance Service however a man has sadly been pronounced dead.  

"Officers are now working to identify the man and inform his family. 

"This incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."

London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Servicescrews were also called to the station. 

The District Line and Hammersmith and City Line were suspended between Barking to Plaistow while emergency services dealt with the incident.