Package found in Rashan Charles' throat did not contain drugs
Forensic analysis of an item found in the 20-year-old's throat concludes that it did not contain a controlled substance.
Wednesday 2 August 2017 23:09, UK
An object removed from the throat of a black man who died after a police chase "did not contain a controlled substance", according to forensic analysis.
Police had said that Rashan Charles had become ill after he was seen "trying to swallow an object" when he entered a shop in Hackney.
The 20-year-old on Saturday 22 July, and the Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched an investigation.
An unverified video, widely shared on social media, showed a police officer wrestling him to the ground, then restraining Mr Charles around his neck as he struggled on the floor.
Mr Charles then stopped moving as he was handcuffed by the officer, and appeared unresponsive as a member of the public sat on him.
He was pronounced dead in hospital an hour later.
. Last weekend, anger boiled over and riot police were called after bottles were thrown at police and skips were set on fire.
Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, who is also MP for Hackney North, said of the forensic analysis: "The IPCC's update, coupled with the release of a Metropolitan Police report highlighting a disproportionate use of force against BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) people will no doubt cause deep concern and upset.
"Urgent work must be done to rebuild trust and links between the police and the community."
Ms Abbott also called for "peace on the streets" and called violent demonstrations "wrong".
The death of Mr Charles of Edir Frederico da Costa, a young black man who died after coming into contact with police in Newham, east London.
The full results of the IPCC's investigation into the death of Mr Charles will take several weeks to emerge.
A post-mortem carried out on 24 July is awaiting the preliminary findings of a pathologist.
"Our independent investigation is thoroughly examining all aspects of police interaction with Rashan prior to his death and has already undertaken a large number of investigative actions," the commission said in a statement.
Staff from the IPCC met with Mr Charles' family on Wednesday afternoon to update them with the results of the forensic analysis.