‘WE’RE here to hand in our petition with 130,000 signatures calling for legal aid to assist us and allow us to be active at the inquest into our mother’s death,’ Lee Lawrence, the son of Cherry Groce told News Line outside Downing Street yesterday lunchtime.
Cherry Groce was shot by police in 1985. The shooting sparked riots in Brixton.
Lee added: ‘We’re looking for answers. We want the family’s queries to be answered. We’ve been refused legal aid and we’re disappointed that this is the stance they have taken.
‘It’s taken us 29 years to get to the point we can finally ask the inquest and get down to the truth about what happened when my mother was shot by the police.
‘We want a full apology from the police that engages with the failure of the operation that took place in 1985, ending up with my mother being shot.’
After the family handed in their petition to 10, Downing Street, Labour MP for Streatham, Chuka Umunna, told reporters: ‘I’m here with my constituents to make a very simple demand that the victims get justice.’
Lee added: ‘It’s been 29 years. Us being denied legal aid is like adding insult to injury. We’ve witnessed my mum being shot in front of us. I was eleven at the time and my sister was eight.
‘My mum was paralysed and spent years in hospital. We became carers. For us, it was a slow death. To not be allowed to be fully involved in the inquest is disgraceful.
‘All the other parties are getting legal assistance but we are not allowed. It’s ridiculous for the family who have been victims to not be allowed legal aid.’
MP Umunna added: ‘The reason given for refusing legal aid is it’s not in the public interest; how can that be when 120,000 signatures were collected in two days? It’s disgraceful we are having to put pressure on to get legal assistance.’
Cherry Groce’s daughter Rosemary Spencer told News Line: ‘It’s a massive effort, it means a lot to us to be treated equally and get legal representation. We’re more determined than ever to get to the truth.’
Lee’s sister, Lisa Lawrence added: ‘I was eight when my mum was shot. It was terrible. Now I just want to get the support from legal aid to get our story across as it’s supposed to be at the inquest. We want an equal platform, especially for the family.’
