Families 'concerned about government response to Keyham coroner' - MP

One of Plymouth's MPs has questioned the policing minister on the Government's response to the coroner over the Keyham shootings.

Luke Pollard said Westminster had rejected recommendations made following the deaths of five people in 2021.

In a series of reports to the Government and police organisations, Coroner Ian Arrow called for the legislative distinction between Section 1 firearms, such as rifles, and shotguns to be ended.

He also raised concerns around Home Office guidance provided to police forces applying the Firearms Act legislation, the training offered to police staff assessing licence applications and training given to judges hearing licence appeals.

Last week the Government stopped short of aligning shotgun and firearms legislation, saying "additional controls on shotguns are unnecessary and would have a negative impact on their legitimate use."

"We have taken action already"

In Parliament on Monday, the MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport said, "Last week, the Government rejected a number of recommendations from the inquest into the tragic mass shooting in Plymouth in 2021, which has caused serious concern among some of the families of the victims.

"Will the Minister explain why he rejected the coroner’s recommendations and whether all those on which he is consulting will be implemented by the end of this calendar year?"

In response, policing minister Chris Philp told Mr Pollard "whenever he and the families are ready to have further discussions with Home Office officials, they will be ready"

Mr Philp added, "There were two recommendations that the hon. Gentleman referred to that the Government did not feel were appropriate, for the reasons set out in the document, but the vast majority are being openly consulted on.

"We have taken action on some of them already.

"I thank him again for his campaigning on this issue, which I know the families are grateful for."