MPs Challenge Police Immunity Ruling After Supreme Court Decision on Negligence
A group of MPs is moving to overturn a Supreme Court ruling that prevents individuals from suing police for alleged negligence. The cross-party effort seeks to amend the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill to allow civil claims against police forces in cases of fabricating evidence, dishonesty, or negligence.
The Supreme Court judgement from June 2023 established that police generally owe no duty of care to victims or witnesses during investigations. This decision effectively grants broad immunity, shielding forces from accountability for investigative failings. Campaigners and legal experts have widely criticised this outcome, highlighting its implications for victims seeking redress.
The proposed amendment aims to clarify that this immunity should not apply when police misconduct involves deliberate fabrication, dishonesty, or demonstrable negligence. Proponents argue that the current ruling undermines public trust and denies victims a crucial avenue for justice when state actors fall short of their duties.
Legal professionals and human rights organisations have consistently pointed out that denying a right to civil action can leave victims without recourse for significant harm caused by police malfeasance, effectively placing state institutions above scrutiny in critical areas.
