Damages for suicide widow

The widow of a man who hanged himself in police custody yesterday received around pounds 9,000 damages from the Metropolitan Police after two Appeal Court judges ruled the force had been negligent. But the finding is to be challenged by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner in the House of Lords.

Martin Lynch, arrested after allegations of deception in March 1990, was able to hang himself from the spy-hole in his cell door because the flap had been left open.