Cameron to give police who shoot to kill protection from prosecution

David Cameron is to give armed police officers who shoot to kill greater protection from prosecution, the Sunday Times reported.

The prime minister stepped in after police chiefs warned that the fight against terrorism is being compromised because firearms officers risk prosecution if they pull the trigger.

Cameron ordered a review of the law after a national security council meeting last week at which police chiefs demanded greater political and legal backing for those charged with protecting the public from a Paris-style massacre in Britain.

Senior government sources say the prime minister is prepared to change the law in the new year to make it harder to drag police officers through the courts if they shoot to kill.

That will trigger a parliamentary showdown with Jeremy Corbyn. The Labour leader last night repeated his opposition to a shoot-to-kill policy, warning that it would damage community relations with the police.

Source: MENA