Matt Ratana’s partner sues Met Police over ‘failures’ and says his death could have been prevented after officer shot dead in cell – The Sun

THE grieving partner of a shot police officer is suing the Met Police for ‘failures’ and says his death could have been avoided.

Sergeant Matt Ratana, 54, died after being killed blasted four times during a search at Croydon Custody Center on September 25, 2020.

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Louis De Zoysa25, pulled out an antique revolver from a concealed armpit holster and fired from point-blank range.

His hands were tied behind his back, but he managed to fire four bullets.

The Zoysa is serving a life sentence for the murder.

Senior coroner Sarah Ormond-Walshe ruled there was a “failure” in checks during the hearing in Croydon, South Londonlast year.

Now his grieving partner Su Bushby, 47, is filing a lawsuit Scotland Wharf because she claims that his death could have been prevented if the police had searched De Zoysa properly.

She also claimed that the police did not tell her about the mistakes they made.

Su, from Worthing, West Sussextold The mirror: “If it had been an effective search, the weapon would have been found on De Zoysa and Matt would still be alive today.

“The shoddy and inadequate search by officers was a neglect of their duty and left Matt vulnerable.

‘The number of failures revealed during the inquest has devastated me.

“I have not been advised by anyone during this period that the actions of the Metropolitan Police may have contributed to Matt’s death.”

Tragically, Sergeant Ratana had started working in custody because it was safer before he was killed.

The officer, who had served with the Met since 1991, was the first officer ever killed at a British home Police station.

Scotland Yard said: “We have received a civil claim in connection with the murder of Matt Ratana.

“While the case is still ongoing, we will not discuss it further.”