Killing that soured relations for 16 years
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.WPC YVONNE FLETCHER (left) was fatally wounded during an anti- Gaddafi protest outside the Libyan embassy in London in April 1984. Eleven demonstrators were also hit by the gunfire, believed to have come from the first floor in the building on St James' Square.
Television footage showed Fletcher, 25, lying as colleagues, including her fiance, PC Michael Liddle, tended to her. Her helmet remained on the street where she fell for days after the tragedy.
She was taken to Westminster Hospital. She had suffered a single gunshot wound to the back and died on the operating table 15 minutes after arriving.
The weapon was identified as a British-made Sterling sub-machine-gun, which was standard issue in the Libyan army.
The 22 embassy officials were allowed to leave the building 10 days after the shooting and flew back to Tripoli. Britain cut diplomatic relations.
With police efforts to bring the killer to justice thwarted, there has been much media speculation about who pulled the trigger. Reports have identified a former Libyan diplomat, living in Belgium under an assumed name, and an oil executive who was then a student in London.
Yesterday's admission by Libya may have silenced the conspiracy theorists who suggested Fletcher was shot by a handgun from another building in the square as part of a CIA plot to discredit Libya.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments