Vol 4/2
March
1999

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Remembering Derek Bentley

On July 31 last year, the Court of Appeal finallly quashed Derek Bentley's conviction for the murder of PC Miles. On 28 January, exactly 46 years to the day on which Derek Bentley was hanged, a memorial service was held in Southwark Cathedral.

It was an immensely moving service, introduced by Roy White the Vice Provost, who spoke of living in a fallen world where however good systems may be they are not infallible.

He said, “As human beings we all have our prejudices and our weaknesses. Often we hide behind the institutions we serve and there is a very real sense in which we must all accept a share of responsibility for miscarriages of justice. So on behalf of the society in which we live and ourselves as part of it, let us kneel and ask for God’s forgiveness.”

There were hymns, anthems and readings. John 18:33-end was read by Maria Dingwell, Derek Bentley’s niece. She took up the campaign to clear his name when her mother, Iris, died. Maria is Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Merton.

Derek’s brother, Dennis, a quiet dignified man was also present and spoke gently and movingly to the waiting press. He said that he knew that his mother, father and sister would have been very proud if they could have been there.

The Provost, Colin Slee, preached a powerful sermon. He spoke of the need not to forget PC Miles and his family, but noted that his widow had asked for clemency for Derek Bentley. In a sermon which spoke of injustices and the horror of capital punishment, he stressed the need for forgiveness and the importance of tireless work in the search for truth.

He said “...I am confident that a somewhat surprised Derek Bentley is watching this service from a life free from the flaws of material creation, from human ambivalence... This service is about ambivalent lives and about stepping out from uncertainties and compromises into the bright and frightening light of truth. If we remember Derek properly, this memorial is about resurrection.”

There were many famous faces there among the 250 or more in the Cathedral. Among them were: Simon Hughes, actors Tom Courtney and Chris Ecclestone who were involved in the film about Derek Bentley and 'Brookside's' Sue Johnston well known for her involvement in justice issues.

It was noticeable that there were no Cabinet Ministers there despite invitations.

Maria Dingwall reads from St John's Gospel

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