We have been working hard with our solicitors since the last update and we have now gathered information from those widows, widowers, and families of those who have been affected by this Regulation and we have identified several lead claimants who now form the basis of the claim.
Statements have been obtained from those lead claimants and a Protocol letter of claim has been formulated. That Protocol letter of claim was sent to the Secretary of State on the 2nd December in which the Claimants submit that the Rule is contrary to Article 8 and Article 14 (read with Article 8) of the European Convention on Human Rights and must, therefore, be disapplied by Police pension authorities.
The Secretary of State is required to make a formal letter of response to the claim within 14 days of receipt and at that stage, we will further review the prospects of success and consider whether formal proceedings can and should be commenced at Court. Those proceedings will be by written submissions, no oral evidence will be required. We now await the response of the Secretary of State.