It was very clear from the LCCSA messaging that they opposed any retrenching of remote interviews but did not get their way.
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From: Keima Payton <keima@paytonslaw.co.uk>
Sent: 24 May 2021 21:54
To: Harvey Fox <Harvey.Fox@freemanssolicitors.net>
Subject: RE: CORRECTED Message from the Met Police!
OK why did *we* decide that attendance was to be determined by fixed factors such as age and vulnerability, as opposed to our own professional judgement and integrity?
Why was this decided when Covid figures are still rising and it is potentially not safe?
My CM said that the LAA were asked to pass this on - it was a recent request, even if the letter was not recent...
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S10 - Powered by Three
-------- Original message --------
From: Harvey Fox <Harvey.Fox@freemanssolicitors.net>
Date: 24/05/2021 21:41 (GMT+00:00)
To: Keima Payton <keima@paytonslaw.co.uk>, Mark Troman <MarkTroman@psplaw.co.uk>
Subject: CORRECTED Message from the Met Police!
The Met are not determining anything. They are following the NPCC protocol as Mark has said again.
The only person at fault here seems to be your contract manager who has only got round to distributing am email a couple of weeks late after it has been succeeded by further developments.
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From: Keima Payton <keima@paytonslaw.co.uk>
Sent: 24 May 2021 21:36
To: Mark Troman <MarkTroman@psplaw.co.uk>; Harvey Fox <Harvey.Fox@freemanssolicitors.net>
Cc: members@mail.lccsa.org.uk
Subject: RE: CORRECTED Message from the Met Police!
Thanks for the message Mark but why are we letting the Met determine when we attend?
If they want to make this type of determination it should have come at a price - they should first ensure our safety and rapid antigen test all detainees upon arrest. So material
of relevance (such as whether a detainee has Covid) can be properly passed on to the DSCC.
If they can't do that, how can they push their weight around determining when we MUST attend?
Keima
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S10 - Powered by Three
-------- Original message --------
From: Mark Troman <MarkTroman@psplaw.co.uk>
Date: 24/05/2021 21:15 (GMT+00:00)
To: Harvey Fox <Harvey.Fox@freemanssolicitors.net>, Keima Payton <keima@paytonslaw.co.uk>
Subject: RE: CORRECTED Message from the Met Police!
Dear Keima,
The Met are not acting unilaterally and despite the ambiguous wording of the letter (no doubt causing your CM to misinterpret
its significance) they are following the NPCC on the timetable. Remote interviews are still available to suspects who are not vulnerable (not requiring an AA).
The LCCSA and TLS did not sign off on the Met’s letter; as Harvey pointed, out I have clarified its meaning with the
Met earlier this month. We signed off on a modified protocol that took effect on 17th May (taking vulnerable suspects out of it as a priority group) we have not agreed the date when the protocol ends entirely.
The LAA/MOJ are present at our meetings with the NPCC and are aware of our calls to keep the protocol going.
Given the uncertainty over infection rates and new variants now is not the time to end the protocol altogether and
I will make the case at the next meeting.
Kind regards,
Mark Troman
President
London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association
From:
members@mail.lccsa.org.uk <members@mail.lccsa.org.uk>
Sent: 24 May 2021 17:42
To: Keima Payton <keima@paytonslaw.co.uk>
Cc: LCCSA <members@mail.lccsa.org.uk>
Subject: CORRECTED Message from the Met Police!
This was the LCCSA’s advice to us several weeks ago about the letter:
Metropolitan Police letter regarding remote interviews
I have been asked to share a letter from Cmdr Williams regarding the return to in-person advice of suspects. I have sought clarification about its meaning and am told the
Met are still aligned with the NPCC position to end remote interviews for vulnerable suspects only by stage 3 of the national easing of restrictions. We support members continued use of the facility in appropriate circumstances, with the informed consent of
the suspect, and while the pandemic continues to affect us Expect a keener focus on informed consent by officers. The final end date of the Joint Protocol has yet to be agreed with the NPCC.
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From: Keima Payton <keima@paytonslaw.co.uk>
Sent: 24 May 2021 17:30
To: Harvey Fox <Harvey.Fox@freemanssolicitors.net>
Cc: LCCSA <members@mail.lccsa.org.uk>
Subject: RE: CORRECTED Message from the Met Police!
Hi Harvey,
Has it been retracted if its just come via The LAA?
Keima
From: Harvey Fox <Harvey.Fox@freemanssolicitors.net>
Sent: 24 May 2021 17:24
To: Keima Payton <keima@paytonslaw.co.uk>
Cc: LCCSA <members@mail.lccsa.org.uk>
Subject: CORRECTED Message from the Met Police!
The email from the police was effectively retracted rather quickly. There was quite a furore when it was issued and the CLSA dealt with it.
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From:
members@mail.lccsa.org.uk <members@mail.lccsa.org.uk>
On Behalf Of Keima Payton
Sent: 24 May 2021 17:18
To: 'listA@lists.clsa.co.uk' <lista@lists.clsa.co.uk>;
members@mail.lccsa.org.uk
Subject: FW: Message from the Met Police!
Just received the below email and attachments above from my LA Account Manager.
I am concerned that the Met are writing directly to the LAA and asking them to send this stuff to us – I am especially concerned when they aren’t carrying out rapid antigen tests
for detainees and ensuring that the new variant isn’t in a custody suite near us, especially when custody suites have been busy when I have attended (for the vulnerable and youths that really require face to face attendance). I have noted recently at Brixton
all the hand sanitizers have been empty – these are the ones in the front office, outside custody and within the custody suite – when I complained I was told they were empty because they were being used (which they couldn’t be because they were empty!)
An asymptomatic detainee arrested by officers could infect maybe as many as 60 people by the time he arrives at HMP Anywhere. Having spoken to a DSCC telephone operator the other
day I was advised (when I asked if my detainee had covid symptoms) that people aren’t even asking anymore and that in speaking about 100 detainees a day, he said that he is advised that 1 detainee has presented with covid symptoms roughly every 6 weeks (1
detainee in 100 detainees a day, every 6 weeks). Those who have Covid can cause devastation in the CJS (if they infect a wing and trials are adjourned) and potential personal devastation as people get sick.
We haven’t beat covid and we should be ensuring that rapid antigen tests are mandatory in these difficult times if the Met want us back working as normal – at least then being told
that someone doesn’t have Covid would actually mean something.
I hope our professional bodies will be taking this up with The Law Society, The Legal Agency and anyone else who can ensure that we are safe whilst we work in police stations.
My Account Manager confirmed that we are still paid for remote attendances and that hasn’t changed.
Keima Payton
Payton’s Solicitors
Sent: 24 May 2021 16:31
Subject: Message from the Met Police
Hi
I hope you're well? The Metropolitan Police have asked us for assistance in disseminating the attached to crime providers regarding the ending of the use of remote attendances at Police Stations and asking solicitors to attend in person
to deal with clients wherever possible.
The change in the Protocol has already gone out through the CLSA, Law Society & others so hopefully it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to you!
Please direct any questions that you may have about this to the police
Best wishes
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