My lifelong search for justice for Yvonne

For the past four decades former PC John Murray has doggedly pursued justice for his much-loved colleague Yvonne Fletcher, who was gunned down outside the Libyan embassy in 1984. KAREN ROCKETT reports

- KAREN ROCKETT

IT WAS an appalling atrocity which sent shockwaves around Britain and the world.

On the morning of April 17, 1984, gunmen inside London's Libyan embassy opened fire on a demonstration against Colonel Gaddafi. Aged just 25, WPC Yvonne Fletcher was shot and killed while policing the protest in St James's Square.

The incident triggered an 11-day siege, but for John Murray it was the start of a lifelong campaign for justice for Yvonne, that has led him to the brink of despair and back again.

Aged just 28 at the time, the Bow Street-based PC cradled Yvonne in his arms as she lay dying on the pavement. He travelled with her in the ambulance, clutching her hand, begging her to hold on.

As she was wheeled through to the operating theatre the spent bullet, which had hit her in the back, fell out of her uniform.

Despite the best efforts of the doctors she died on the operating table at midday.

Vowing to get justice for his friend, John has devoted his life to that cause at huge personal cost, losing his wife, more than £100,000 in savings and at one point even attempting suicide.

But as he prepares to attend a 40th anniversary memorial service on Wednesday, the father-oftwo has every reason to be hopeful.

Usually around 300 mourners attend to pay their respects, but this year up to 1,600 are expected. John, 68, says proudly: "At the centre of it all will be a guard of honour made up of 50 former women police officers."

Scotland Yard refused permission for serving officers to take part in the guard of honour, so John contacted retired colleagues.