"I am proud to represent the people of Burnley and Padiham in Parliament. Burnley is a great place to live and work and work and I promise always to do my best for my constituents both in Burnley and at Westminster.”

To read Kitty’s maiden speech in the House of Commons, click here

I am one of Kitty's constituents and I
would like to raise the following issue

News

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27 March 2006

For immediate release

MP calls for Public Inquiry into the
Christopher Alder Case

Burnley MP, Kitty Ussher has today called for a public inquiry into the events surrounding the death in Police custody of Christopher Alder in April 1998. Her request follows the release of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) review of the case which makes several serious criticisms of both the events leading up to Mr Alder's death and the subsequent investigation. Mr Alder's sister, Janet, is a constituent of Ms Ussher and has been leading a campaign for a full public inquiry into the events surrounding her brothers death.

Ms Ussher said:
"I've seen, and been shocked by, the CCTV evidence of Christopher dying on the floor of the police station while officers are present and clearly not giving him the medical attention he needs. I agree with the IPCC's analysis that the actions of the police at the very least denied Christopher the chance of life. But the IPCC were not able to obtain answers to all the questions that my constituent Janet Alder has - because they did not have the power to summon the police officers that were present when Christopher died on that floor to give evidence. The only way to do that is to have a public inquiry and so I am writing to the Home Secretary to ask that he call a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Christopher Alder's death, and I will also look for an early opportunity to raise the matter in Parliament."

Ends

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Kitty is a regular contributor to parliamentary debates, asking questions of ministers on behalf of her constituents.

For more details of Kitty's parlimentary activities
In addition to her weekly column in Friday's Burnley Express, Kitty also writes for the Guardian on-line politics page as well as Tribune newspaper


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