This month has seen another big step forward in the Justice for Ryan Passey Campaign.
Ryan was stabbed to death in Chicago's nightclub over four years ago. His killer was subsequently acquitted and ever since his family and friends have campaigned tirelessly to repeal the verdict and deliver justice for Ryan.
An independent inquiry into the original investigation was announced in October. I met with Ryan's family and West Midlands Police today, where it was announced that West Yorkshire Police will lead the inquiry. The positive meeting set out how the review will take place, its parameters, and crucially, that a Police force has finally been assigned to undertake it.
I made it clear that both West Midlands and West Yorkshire Police need to be transparent with Ryan's family about what is happening at every turn through regular meetings and updates.
This has already been a long journey for this courageous family but I think we finally have the nuts and bolts of a proper examination into what went wrong in the original investigation, and the chance to obtain justice for Ryan.
