Fireside Chat with Matt Johnson
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Forty years ago, on April 17th, 1984, WPC Yvonne Fletcher was fatally shot from the Libyan Embassy, which was once located across the Square from the Rag. The incident occurred during a demonstration against the Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, and also resulted in the injury of 11 anti-Gaddafi protestors. This tragic event led to an 11-day siege, ultimately resulting in the expulsion of numerous Libyan diplomats and the severing of diplomatic ties, and perhaps the political decision to support the US bombing of Libya two years later.
PC John Murray held Yvonne Fletcher in his arms on that day and pledged to her that he would find her killers. A private prosecution in 2021 successfully brought to justice a Libyan diplomat for conspiracy to murder. Murray had fulfilled his promise. His quest for justice has been documented in a book titled “No Ordinary Day,” co-written with former Metropolitan Police officer Matt Johnson.
Matt Johnson joined us on Tuesday 16th April for a Fireside Chat, where he detailed the intense journey behind the prosecution and the challenges Murray faced in his search for justice. The event included a discussion of the broader impact of the incident, for which a memorial stands across from the Club commemorating the tragic event.
