Duggan inquiry attacks 'false' reports

An investigation into the fatal shooting by police of Mark Duggan which triggered rioting across England is being undermined by inaccurate comments about the circumstances of the operation and its aftermath, the police watchdog said yesterday.

Len Jackson, chairman of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, said the inquiry had been surrounded by "inaccurate, misleading and, more importantly, irresponsible" comments that threatened public confidence in the investigation. He said reports that the taxi carrying Mr Duggan was removed from the scene before IPCC investigators arrived were "totally untrue".

Rioting followed Mr Duggan's death in Tottenham, north London, and spread across the country. Initial reports that he shot at police were ruled out by ballistics tests.

A headline in The Guardian claiming Mr Duggan was unarmed is the subject of a Press Complaints Commission complaint. The article said a gun was recovered up to 14ft from his body. Mr Jackson said: "Allegations citing that a police officer was seen 'throwing a gun' remain unsubstantiated by any witnesses or evidence."