Further to the publication of the report of the Chairman of the Inquiry into the retirement of former Police Commissioner, Ian McGrail, (‘the Inquiry’) Hassans International Law Firm Limited, for itself and on behalf of its Senior Partner, James Levy K.C., has issued the following statement:

“Although neither Hassans International Law Firm nor Mr Levy were the subjects of this inquiry, nor were they core participants, they welcome the finding that Hassans and Mr Levy did not seek to cause, and did not do anything at all to cause the resignation of the former Commissioner.

“They also welcome the fact that the Inquiry has made it plain that there is “no evidence whatsoever” of any RGP officer being deterred or discouraged from progressing their investigation to its proper conclusion.  Indeed, the Inquiry has found that Mr Levy was cleared of being a suspect and “exonerated”.

“At the heart of this matter for Hassans and Mr Levy is, and has always been, the unlawful search warrant that was attempted against Mr Levy and which he and Hassans were right to contest.  Even though the Inquiry was not itself a judicial review, the Chairman made serious criticisms of the search warrant application and identified multiple procedural flaws, including a failure to make full and frank disclosure to the courts. The Inquiry acknowledged that an informed bystander could conclude the warrant was unlawful and identified obvious weaknesses in the RGP investigation.  Hassans defended Mr. Levy rigorously in accordance with its professional duties to him and its clients, and Mr Levy remains entitled to seek redress in respect of the serious violation of his constitutional rights.”

Mr Levy commented: “I have always maintained that the warrant was wholly unnecessary and a violation of both my constitutional rights and my duties to my clients.  I welcome the fact that in the context of the seriously flawed application for the warrant the Chairman has made recommendations for reform of the RGP’s procedures.”