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Penguin News Update

Headlines:
£102k for police investigation; Argentine munitions discovered in Stanley home; Missing man; Clipper and Minerva II to visit; Commemorating Battle Day.

Argentine munitions discovered in Stanley home

THIS collection of Argentine munitions was discovered in a house in Stanley early in the week. The initial discovery of a number of bullets by Mrs. Vi Felton at a house on Callaghan Road, prompted a search by police and officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit. The search also uncovered a shoulder launched rocket, three grenades and an FN rifle, all relics from the 1982 war. The live items were moved to Eliza Cove tip for safe disposal. Full story on page 3

£102k for police investigation

AN INVESTIGATION undertaken by a team from the Metropolitan Police Service into allegations made against the Royal Falkland Islands Police (RFIP) has so far cost the government £102,200. Standing Finance Committee approved the funds at their meeting on Friday, November 25, and heard it is likely that, in the event of any criminal proceedings resulting from the investigation, additional costs would be incurred. His Excellency the Governor, Mr Howard Pearce, yesterday told Penguin Newsit is "essential" that the Falklands should have a "properly functioning police force". He said the cost to ensure this has to be met by the community, "...and I am sure that people will understand that." At the end of last month, Government House announced that two senior police officers had been suspended from duty by the Acting Governor following a preliminary investigation of complaints. Chief Police Officer Dave Morris and Detective Sergeant Jonathon Butler were suspended on full pay. A group of seven officers from the Metropolitan Police spent a week and a half in the Islands earlier this month carrying out an investigation into the allegations. As part of that investigative process they took a large number of witness statements and statements from the officers involved. Shortly before they left the Islands, they gave His Excellency the Governor a written interim report. Mr Pearce yesterday reported that the team are now preparing their full report which will contain their findings and, "...we expect to have that before the end of the year, although I hope it will be with us much sooner than that. That very much depends upon what their other commitments are in the UK." Mr Pearce said it is possible the report may recommend that criminal charges be laid, however he added, "I don't know, obviously until I see the final version of the report, what their final conclusions will be." He said if that is the case, "...it will then be for the Attorney General - and the Attorney General alone - to make a decision as to whether a criminal prosecution should take place. "If criminal charges are not recommended, it is still possible that disciplinarian proceedings may be recommended. And it follows that if criminal charges are recommended, disciplinary proceedings will follow that in due course. "But we have to wait for those recommendations before we know what will happen next. If it does come to the point where criminal charges are laid, the law will then take its course; it will be a while before things come to the courts." Mr Pearce said he was unable to say any more about the content of the investigation or the details of the allegations which have been made. He said, "I can well understand that the public here want to know more and inevitably there is a great deal of speculation, but it would be entirely wrong of me to do so because that could prejudice the people concerned and it could prejudice the next stages in this process. "I should make it clear however that there is no assumption about the outcome, there is no assumption made about guilt; the principle that people remain innocent until proven guilty is of course an absolute one and this process could result in the exoneration of all concerned. We just have to let the process take its course." On Wednesday afternoon, the Governor and the Chief Executive, Mr Chris Simpkins, visited the police station to meet with officers. His Excellency commented, "I'd like to say very clearly that I have full confidence in the RFIP, in the Acting Chief Police Officer Len McGill, and they have my full support. "The investigating team from the Metropolitan Police Service, who are highly professional in their field, had some complimentary things to say about the standards and the professionalism of members of the RFIP. "I hope very much that the public will give their full support to the RFIP during what is inevitably a very difficult period for them. They also happen to be handling at the moment a number of quite difficult cases as well, so to have this additional pressure on top of them is not at all helpful. "I would urge people to give the police force every support in the coming weeks and months and, indeed, on a permanent basis as well." This week, Councillor Mike Rendell, who holds the Public Protection portfolio, commented, "Councillors join the Civil Service and the general public in their support for the Royal Falkland Islands Police during this difficult time, and trust that the results of the investigation will be forthcoming as soon as is practically possible." Continued on page 3.

Missing man

THE police have appealed to the public for information on the whereabouts of a man who has been missing for almost a week. Mr Antony Albert McClelland, an engineer from the MV Indomitablewhich was moored at Mare Harbour, was reported missing around noon on Saturday. Extensive enquiries were begun and a full search operation launched. Mr McClelland has not been found. The Royal Falkland Islands Police and the Joint Services Provost and Security Unit are continuing to trace the last known movements of Mr McClelland. Sgt Dave Roberts said they are maintaining the search, "...both on land and in water." He commented, "He has been missing for almost a week so the chances of finding him alive are fairly slim, to be honest. We've got to hope for the best and fear the worst." Sgt Roberts said Mr McClelland's family will be contacted immediately with any news. Inspector Len McGill has asked that "...anyone, who has not already done so, who had contact with Mr McClelland during the days leading up to Saturday, November 26 would contact us as soon as possible. We would especially like to hear from anyone who saw or spoke with him during the evening of Friday, November 25." The Royal Falkland Islands Police can be contacted on telephone 27222, e-mail reception@police.gov.fk or in person at the Police Station on Ross Road, Stanley. The Joint Services Provost and Security Unit can be contacted on telephone 6484 or in person at the Guard Room at the entrance to Mount Pleasant Airport. Inspector McGill said, "The assistance and co-operation of all members of the public would be appreciated."

Clipper and Minerva II to visit

CLIPPER Adventurerwill visit New Island and Carcass Island today and heads to Stanley tomorrow. She will carry approximately 100 passengers. On Sunday she will visit Bleaker Island and Sea Lion Island. On Thursday and Friday Minerva II (carrying approximately 684 passengers) will anchor in Port William.

Commemorating Battle Day

THURSDAY, December 8 is Battle Day. A church service and parade will be held and all government departments, other than those providing essential services, will be closed.

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