28/09/2010

Licence 'Revoked' For Moat Taser Company

The Taser firm which supplied the weapon used during the Raoul Moat stand-off has had its licence revoked.

An inquest into Raoul Moat's death has heard that the weapon employed was not licensed for distribution under the Firearms Act.

It has been reported that the Taser gun used in the Raoul Moat stand-off was a prototype and not officially sanctioned for use.

It was believed the experimental Taser was to be utilised at the discretion of individual forces.

However the Home Office had not issued a license under which these weapons could be provided to police.

James Brokenshire, Home Office Minister will send a letter confirming this to the Home Affairs Committee and Shadow Home Secretary Alan Johnson.

As shots had also been fired, it is unclear what caused Moat's death.

It has not yet been confirmed if the use of the Taser played any part in Raoul Moat's death.

Home Office sources have not attached any blame to the officers concerned.

An Independent Police Complaints Commission investigaton is ongoing.

(BMcN/GK)


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