Met reopens investigation into bus driver's death after racism claims

The Metropolitan Police is to reopen its investigation into the death of a black bus driver after complaints of racism from his family.

Scotland Yard said last night it would reinvestigate the suspicious death of Kester David, 53, almost two years after his charred remains were found under a railway arch.

An initial investigation concluded that Mr David, from Wood Green, north London, had taken his own life. Post-mortem examinations gave Mr David's cause of death in July 2010 as burns and "inhalation of fumes" before Enfield police concluded the death was non-suspicious.

But a coroner recorded a verdict of open death and a forensic expert said he could not rule out the possibility that a third party was involved. Relatives campaigned for an independent inquiry after officers were accused of a catalogue of errors.

The case comes to light as the force investigates 10 other cases of alleged racism against officers.

Mr David's mother, Winifred Griffith, told reporters: "If Kester had been a white man the police would have conducted a much more effective investigation."

Police said inquiries would be relaunched in the wake of two reviews into the original investigation.

"The results remain under consideration," a spokesman added.