Blair Peach inquiry?

Press, 9 October 1979, Page 6

Blair Peach inquiry?

NZPA London A full public inquiry into the death of the New Zealand schoolteacher, Blair Peach, may be considered after an inquest, thi Attorney-General (Si Michael Havers) has said Mr Peach died during a anti-National Front rail in Southall, London, la April. There have bee several calls for a full it quiry into allegations th Mr Peach died after heir hit on the head by a polict man. Speaing in a 8.8. C radio interview, Sit Michael said the possibility of a judicial inquiry could

be raised again after the inquest on Mr Peach, which will resume on I hursday. “If it does indicate a eed for an inquiry we ust consider it," Sir .ichael said. "It is really a matter for e Home Secretary rather an me.”

The Home Secretary (Mr illiam Whitelaw ) has pre.ously rejected demands >r an inquiry. Sir Michael said in the iterview that he was conerned about the development of the controversial Special Patrol Group as a “force within the force.”

"One is always slightly frightened about any elitist force.” he said. “They may form such * friendship with one another that one may get a blank wall when one conducts an investigation." A week-end meeting of the executive of Mr Pearch’s union. the National I nion of Teachers, decided to renew ins call for an inquiry. The shadow AttorneyGeneral, Mr John Morris, the National Council for Civil Liberties, and the Anti-Nazi League have also demanded an inquiry.