Mark Duggan's family win right to appeal against police 'lawful killing' ruling

The family of Mark Duggan, whose death triggered the riots across England in August 2011, have won an appeal against the decision he was lawfully killed by police.

An inquest into the death of Duggan, who was shot twice by a police marksman known only as V53 in a taxi in Tottenham, north London, ruled that the 29-year-old was lawfully killed by police despite a jury declaring by a majority of eight to two that he did not have a gun at the time.

V53 claimed he acted in self-defence after he saw Duggan holding a gun and appearing like he was ready to fire. Following a four-month inquest, a jury declared that Duggan more than likely threw the gun out of the vehicle's window

His family instantly rejected the lawful killing verdict saying Duggan had been "executed" by police. The family have now been granted permission to a decision by three High Court judges that the inquest jury was entitled to bring in its eight to two majority verdict.

Lord Justice Sales said: "I am granting permission on the basis that there is a real prospect of success on appeal. I also consider a further compelling reason for the grant of permission is that the shooting dead of a suspect by police is always a matter for careful scrutiny."