13/07/06 - Letter from Liam Brigginshaw

Liam Brigginshaw Assistant Chief Constable
Chief Constable's Office Headquarters, PO Box 2, Springfield,
Chelmsford, Essex CM2 6DA

Telephone 01245 452111
Email: acc.os@essex.pnn.police.uk
Facsimile: 01245 452123

Our Ref:     LB/cb
Date:           13th July 2006

Dear Mr Balkwell

I am writing further to the discussions you held with Chief Superintendent Peter Coltman on 01 June 2006 and your subsequent letter received at Police Headquarters on 04th July 2006.

At your meeting with Mr Coltman you raised a number of new issues impacting on the death of your son Lee and I have asked that a further statement be obtained from you in order that these additional lines of enquiries can be followed up.

Prior to that date, I am informed by Chief Superintendent Coxall that he was in a position to make his report to the Coroner. In view of the additional matters you brought to our attention, Her Majesty's Coroner has indicated that she is unable to conduct coronial proceedings until such times as those additional matters have been investigated.

These further enquiries will be carried out under the guidance of Detective Superintendent Keith Garnish at Brentwood Major Investigation Team.

In addition, in view of a change in Chief Officer's responsibilities, the oversight for this enquiry will now transfer to Assistant Chief Constable John Broughton, Head of Protective Services.

In your most recent letter, you have made some assertions in relation to my integrity. I would like to remind you that if you wish to make a formal complaint, you should direct that to the Chief Executive of Essex Police Authority at 3 Hoffmanns Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1GU.

I would like to reassure you that Essex Police continues to investigate Lee's tragic death with an open mind as to the events of that evening and our investigations will be carried out with complete objectivity in a quest to search for the truth.

Yours sincerely

Liam Brigginshaw Assistant Chief Constable