Probe into Lynette corruption trial

The solicitor for one of three men wrongly convicted of killing a Cardiff prostitute said an investigation into the collapse of the UK's biggest police corruption trial would focus on the "reasons for the collapse".

Lynette White, 20, was stabbed more than 50 times in 1988 in the Cardiff docklands flat where she worked.

The wrongful convictions later led to the £30m corruption case in 2011.

The planned investigation is not believed to be a reopening of the case.

Solicitor Matthew Gold told Good Morning Wales it will instead address the systems employed by the prosecution to make sure the disclosure of court documents worked, as well as the the role of individual disclosure officers.

He added: "Why couldn't the police deal with a case like this? Why couldn't they disclose the documents they should have done? Why did they tell the court documents were destroyed when they weren't?"

'Questions answered'

The Home Office did not confirm that a QC-led inquiry would be launched but said there were "unresolved questions" surrounding the miscarriage of justice that led to the three innocent men being jailed and said Mrs May would make an announcement shortly.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "There are still unresolved questions surrounding the reasons why no one was found responsible for this appalling miscarriage of justice.

"It is important for public trust in policing and the wider criminal justice system, as well as the men who were wrongly imprisoned, that these questions are answered.

"The Home Secretary is currently considering options and will make an announcement shortly."

Lynette, 20, was murdered on St Valentine's Day 1988 at the flat in Butetown, where she took clients.

Wrongly jailed

Tony Paris, Yusef Abdullahi and Stephen Miller - who became known as the Cardiff Three - were wrongly jailed for life in 1990 for the murder and freed in 1992 after their convictions were quashed.

In 2003 new DNA technology led South Wales Police to Ms White's real killer - Jeffrey Gafoor. He confessed to stabbing her in a row over £30.

Twelve former South Wales Police officers were charged with perverting the course of justice - but the trial of eight of them collapsed in 2011.

Mr Gold, who acts for Stephen Miller, said they were told on 4 February that the investigation will start on 2 March.

It will be led by Richard Horwell QC, according to Mr Gold.

Probe into Lynette corruption trial

Put the internet to work for you.

Delete or edit this Recipe