Jump directly to the content
LAWFUL KILLING

What time is Lawful Killing: Mark Duggan on BBC1 tonight, what’s it about and what do we learn about the shooting?

THE DEATH of the man that sparked the London Riots of 2011 is now set to be laid out in the new docudrama, Lawful Killing: Mark Duggan.

But what happened to Mark? And what were the circumstances surrounding the case that resulted all of London to react in such a cataclysmic way?

Here's what we know...

 The last 24 hours of Mark Duggan's life will play out on screen next Monday
5
The last 24 hours of Mark Duggan's life will play out on screen next MondayCredit: Not known refer to copyright holder

What happened to Mark Duggan?

On August 4 2011, 29-year-old Mark Duggan was shot in the chest by police in Tottenham, North London, and died from his injuries. After his death, the Metropolitan Police released a statement saying that they were attempting to arrest him on suspicion of planning an attack, and that he was in possession of a firearm.

Accounts over whether or not Mark was in fact carrying a gun varies, however that dealt in gun crime and class A drugs.

 The 29-year-old was shot and killed in Tottenham in 2011 by Police
5
The 29-year-old was shot and killed in Tottenham in 2011 by Police

Mark also had convictions for cannabis possession, handling stolen goods and had been cautioned for public disorder, jurors heard.

However, while the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said that they recovered a firearm at the scene, they later admitted that there was no evidence that suggested that Mark had opened fire on the police present, and a watchdog ballistics test announced there was "no evidence that the gun at the scene had been fired".

 A public inquiry labelled his death as a 'lawful' killing
5
A public inquiry labelled his death as a 'lawful' killingCredit: Not known refer to copyright holder

The policeman responsible, who has never been named, told an inquest that he thought he saw Mark pull a gun from his jacket when he fired, when it was found more than 10 ft away from his body wrapped in a sock.

The IPCC also failed to inform Mark's family that he had been killed by officers.

Public outcry over Mark's death led to protests in Tottenham outside the police station, and a march was created in his name in order to demand justice for his sudden death.

The protest soon turned and eventually evolved into the devastating London Riots that rippled through the city that year.

Prime Minister David Cameron denied the riots were linked to Mr Duggan's death and condemned the violence as an "excuse by opportunist thugs in gangs".

 The shooting of Mark led to public outcry and sparked the 2011 London riots
5
The shooting of Mark led to public outcry and sparked the 2011 London riotsCredit: [email protected]

It was revealed later that Mark was under investigation as part of Operation Trident - that deals with gang and gun crime in London and it is reported that nine minutes before his death, .

A public inquest into Mark's death started two years later on 16 September 2013, and in January 2014 it was ruled with an 8-2 majority that his death would be considered a lawful killing.

His family won the right to appeal this verdict in 2015 and in August this year, another protest and vigil was held to mark the 5th anniversary of his death.

What time is Lawful Killing: Mark Duggan on BBC1?

The 90-minute docudrama starts at 8:30pm on BBC1 on Monday, December 5.

What will the film cover?

The new BBC documentary drama will consist of dramatic reconstructions of Mark's life in the hours leading up to the shooting.

It will play alongside Mark's friends and family, who have agreed to be interviewed for the film, as well as journalists and experts of the events.

 The BBC will air interviews and dramatic reconstructions of his last 24 hours next week
5
The BBC will air interviews and dramatic reconstructions of his last 24 hours next weekCredit: Not known refer to copyright holder

These two elements will be combined with testimony re-enacted from the transcripts of evidence given at the coroner's inquest by witnesses and police officers to give an as accurate as possible account of what transpired that day.


Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 0207 782 4220


Topics