MP calls for review of judge guidelines following Weddell inquest

Mike Penning asks why Garry Weddell, who had been charged with murder, was released on bail.

Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, has reiterated his calls for the Ministry of Justice to carry out a review of guidelines given to judges following revelations that Met Police Inspector, Garry Weddell could have been planning to kill other members of his family.

Garry Weddell, a 47-year-old Metropolitan Police Officer, who had been charged with murdering his wife yet was subsequently released on bail of £200,000, went on to kill his mother-in-law. At the inquest, the coroner heard that Weddell may have been planning to kill more members of his family but was spooked by a passing police helicopter so turned the gun on himself at Broomhills Shooting Club in Markyate last year.

Mike Penning said: ”The more I hear about this case the more questions there are that need to be answered. It is clear that this man should never have been released on bail in the first place.

“Why are murder suspects are released on bail?

“How did a murder suspect, out on bail, manage to join a clay-pigeon shooting club and gain access to firearms?

“Why when he breached the bail conditions the first time was he allowed to go free again?

“These are very serious questions and there must be an explanation and the Secretary of State for Justice should review guidelines given to judges so this never happens again.”