Daniel Machover and Ellie Cornish comment following IOPC ruling in Kaba misconduct case
1 May 2025
Daniel Machover and Ellie Cornish have been quoted in the media following the IOPC’s decision to press ahead with a gross misconduct hearing of the police firearms officer who shot dead Chris Kaba.
The IOPC’s decision to continue with the hearing comes after Martyn Blake was found not guilty of murder in a criminal trial.
Responding to the decision, Daniel and Ellie said: “In April 2023, six months after Chris Kaba’s death, the Metropolitan Police Service agreed with the IOPC that Martyn Blake had a case to answer for gross misconduct.
“It is disappointing that the MPS later changed its mind about this; and it is welcome that the IOPC has not. It is right that this officer’s actions are held to account in accordance with the applicable professional standard on the use of force.
“Chris Kaba’s family today call upon the IOPC to present the misconduct case to the disciplinary panel so that the process is as fair and rigorous as possible. There must be no further delay in hearing the case.”
Daniel and Ellie worked closely with the charity INQUEST on this case. INQUEST director Deborah Coles said she welcomed the IOPC decision, but said “the fact that the Metropolitan police required direction and were not willing to take this step themselves is reprehensible.
Read more on the INQUEST website and in the media here and here.
