The Metropolitan Police is facing urgent questions after officers visited an Algerian national's home just hours before he was found dead, raising serious concerns about police procedures and accountability.
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy has written to Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley demanding a full explanation after Surrey Police alerted their London counterparts about potential risks involving the man.
Timeline of Events Raises Alarm
The sequence of events began when Surrey Police contacted the Metropolitan Police with concerns about the Algerian national. According to sources, Met officers subsequently visited the man's address in London.
"Tragically, just hours after this police visit, the individual was discovered deceased, creating immediate questions about what transpired during the interaction and whether proper protocols were followed.
Political Pressure Mounts
David Lammy's intervention underscores the seriousness of the situation. In his letter to Commissioner Rowley, the shadow cabinet minister highlighted several critical issues:
- The nature of the information shared between Surrey and Metropolitan Police
- What actions were taken during the police visit
- Whether appropriate welfare checks were conducted
- Why the man died so shortly after police contact
"This case raises disturbing questions about inter-force communication and duty of care," a parliamentary source familiar with the matter told journalists.
Police Forces Under Microscope
The incident comes at a sensitive time for UK policing, with both the Metropolitan Police and Surrey Police having faced recent scrutiny over their procedures and community relations.
Neither police force has commented extensively on the specific circumstances, citing the ongoing investigation and respect for the deceased's family. However, sources confirm that both internal reviews and independent oversight mechanisms have been activated.
The case has particularly resonance given ongoing debates about police accountability and how forces handle individuals from minority communities. The Algerian national's death represents another challenging chapter for the Met as it works to rebuild public trust.
As investigations continue, political and community leaders await answers about what exactly transpired in those crucial hours between police contact and the man's tragic death.
