Guardian : Gareth Williams: Met orders forensic review

Gareth Williams: Met orders forensic review

Met commissioner says new evidence will be examined and warns MI6 officers to co-operate with police

Vikram Dodd | May 8, 2012

Scotland Yard has ordered a review of forensic evidence as it renews its efforts to solve the death of MI6 officer Gareth Williams.

The Scotland Yard commissioner, Bernard Hogan-Howe, said MI6 employees would be expected to co-operate with police. "It's called the law," said Britain's top police officer.

An inquest last week found Williams, whose body was found stuffed in a holdall in a London flat, may have been killed. It also heard police were not told of evidence held by the spy agency, including memory sticks, until last week.

Hogan-Howe said the new material that has emerged would be examined. He also said detectives from the Met's homicide command will interview MI6 employees directly, without the need to go through counter-terrorism officers.

Hogan-Howe said it was possible MI6 employees may be asked to undergo fresh DNA tests.

The commissioner said a new private company would re-examine the forensics in the investigation. He did not name the company but said it implied no criticism of the firm that originally carried out the work.