Did Serbians kill Jill Dando?
HOME Secretary Theresa May is being urged to make a statement to Parliament on Scotland Yard’s investigation into Jill Dando’s murder as a leading barrister suggests officers are not making serious inquiries.
Michael Mansfield, QC, who represented Barry George at his first trial in 2001, is concerned police have not followed leads suggesting Miss Dando’s murder in 1999 was ordered by Serbian warlord Slobodan Milosevic.
Today is the second anniversary of Barry George’s release after he was cleared at a second trial of shooting the 37-year-old Crimewatch presenter at her home in Fulham, west London.
Last year Mr Mansfield published his memoirs which included a story that someone in a bar in Bosnia had admitted carrying out the killing in revenge for the Nato bombing of a Belgrade TV station during the Balkans war.
Mr Mansfield also suggested a place in eastern Europe where the unusual, crimped bullet which killed Miss Dando could have been made.
The Sunday Express has established that no one from Scotland Yard has travelled to Bosnia to pursue the lead and the Met is reluctant to discuss what inquiries case review officers have made.
Mr Mansfield said he had not been contacted by officers about the reported confession.
He said: “I haven’t heard anything more about that. Assuming they are taking an objective and open-minded approach, they should pursue avenues like that.
“They must have agents on the ground, Interpol, who can do the work on the ground for them.”
Earlier this year it was reported that DNA of a suspect found at the murder scene had been secured through improved methods of scientific detection. However, the story was played down by the Yard as not being a major breakthrough.
Mr Mansfield said: “What has happened about the revelation that they have found DNA? The whole thing is very unsatisfactory. Now I think what is required is for somebody in the House of Commons to ask a question about the police investigation for the Home Secretary to answer.”
Scotland Yard insists its re-investigations have been thorough and the case is very much open, although it is clear officers have not made any breakthroughs.
Since being freed, Barry George has had trouble settling into a normal life. He is believed to be living in Cork, Ireland, near his sister Michelle Diskin.
Earlier this year he responded to claims that some people still think he did kill Miss Dando, by saying: “I cannot do anything about that and I am not going to try because in a court of law my innocence has been proven on all the evidence.”
