Anger over death of Smiley Culture reggae star

Anger over death of Smiley Culture reggae star

Inquiry demand into singer's death

(UKPA) – Apr 16, 2011

Hundreds of protesters marched through central London to New Scotland Yard to call for a public inquiry into the death of reggae star Smiley Culture.

The singer, whose real name was David Emmanuel, died of a single stab wound through the heart after four Metropolitan Police officers executed a search warrant at his Surrey home on 15 March.

His family has been told he stabbed himself while making a cup of tea despite the presence of officers in his home.

Police watchdog the IPCC are investigating the case but Smiley Culture's family said they want a public inquiry and that the police explanation of his death is "bizarre".

A large crowd of protesters - estimated by the Metropolitan Police at around 600 - marched from Wandsworth Road to Parliament Square and then to a rally outside New Scotland Yard this afternoon.

They chanted "No Justice, No Peace", played reggae music and carried placards reading "No more deaths in police custody" and "Who killed Smiley Culture?". Police said it was a "noisy but peaceful" protest.

Smiley Culture's nephew, Merlin Emmanuel, said the singer's funeral had been held yesterday.

Addressing the crowd outside New Scotland Yard, Mr Emmanuel said: "Yesterday we buried my uncle David Emmanuel, also known as Smiley Culture, before his time. Like many others he would still be here if it were not for the police.

"Scotland Yard, listen. Although you enforce the law, you are not above it."

He told protesters: "We are bonded by our quest for justice and truth, by our demand for transparency and equality in a system that is supposed to protect and serve the people but has failed to adequately protect us or the many lives lost in police custody over the years."

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