Bamber's defence team has repeatedly asked for access to the following:
first, the notebooks and other papers of Inspector Jones, who headed the initial investigation and firmly believed in Bamber's innocence;
secondly, the findings of the coroner who inquired into Inspector Jones's sudden death, which have never been made public;
thirdly, the audio recordings of all telephone and radio messages from White House farm;
fourthly, the audio recordings describing the scene of the crime;
fifthly, the video recordings of the scene of the crime;
and sixthly, the original radio and telephone messages log and incident report.
All are still being withheld from the defence. On every occasion on which the defence team has asked for them, Essex constabulary has refused to provide them. I put it directly to the Minister—and ask her to respond—that that is surely an intolerable state of affairs.
In December I tabled a written question asking the Home Secretary to instruct Essex constabulary to give Mr. Bamber's solicitors all audio tapes relating to events at White House farm. The Minister for Crime Reduction, Policing and Community Safety replied:
"The disclosure of information held by Essex Constabulary is a matter for the Chief Officer of the force".
Unfortunately, the chief constable has made his position clear: he will not co-operate. One wonders why not."
Debate in Parliament
9 Feb 2005 : 4 pm
Mr. Andrew Hunter MP