today

An unlikely assassin: Barry George, an epileptic with learning disabilities.

New evidence includes testimony from two new witnesses - believed to be a retired church minister and an airport worker - that contradicts the police claim that none of its officers was armed. The only forensic evidence that linked George with the murder was a particle from gunshot residue found in his coat pocket. But experts have pointed out that if the officers who searched his flat were armed they would have been covered with residue themselves and could have easily contaminated his clothes.

The gun used appears to be home-made, a difficult and risky task, which has gone wrong for known experienced assassins. George was not known to possess a gun, and he sounds the sort of inconvenient fellow who would flash it around if he did. George's uncle said: "If his mother ever wanted a plug changed then he would always ask me to help her instead."

On the basis of the long "Independent" report it looks as if the Police have simply taken some dill off the street, and this is not what we pay our rates for. OK. so George did have pictures of Dando in his room. Er,.... Does this mean we should put in prison all members of the Tory party who have pictures of Tony B. Liar? Doubtless Bliar be assassinated if he hangs around Westminster much longer. That could be useful pre-emption and lead to Police peerages all round.