The family of a woman who died after being hit by a police officer escorting a member of the royal family said the not-guilty verdict handed down to the officer shows “the police are above the law”, ITV News’ Mahatir Pasha reports.
The family of great-grandmother Helen Holland, who died after being hit by a police motorbike, say the not-guilty verdict given to the officer who struck her sends a clear message that officers are “above the law” – and are now demanding changes to the way police escorts operate.
Helen, 81, was hit as she crossed on a green pedestrian signal in Earl’s Court, London, on May 10, 2023, by a motorcycle escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh. She died in hospital two weeks later.
Last Thursday, after two hours of deliberation, a jury at the Old Bailey acquitted PC Christopher Harrison, 68, of causing death by careless driving.
The verdict has left Helen’s relatives feeling “cheated”, “devastated” and has knocked their faith in the justice system.
Speaking exclusively to ITV News, Helen’s brother Chris Holmes and granddaughter Kelly Williams said the decision effectively shifted responsibility onto Helen herself – even though the pedestrian signal was green.
“If the policeman is not guilty of careless driving, then she’s guilty of careless walking,” Chris said.
“I feel there’s a terrible injustice.”
“She was just crossing the road innocently”: Chris Holmes tells ITV News he thinks there has been a “terrible injustice” over his sister’s death
Kelly slammed the verdict: “This is just an example of a two-tier justice system. The police are above the law.”
She also urged the public to be extra vigilant when crossing a green man because “more people will die at the hands of the police because they can just go through a red light, kill a pedestrian when it’s their right of way.”
During the trial, the court heard PC Harrison – an experienced rider with the Met’s specialist escort group – was travelling between 44mph and 58mph in a 30mph zone as he approached the controlled crossing, which was red for traffic at the time.
He told jurors Helen “just appeared” in front of him.
The family reject this explanation entirely.
“You should have seen her,” Chris said.
Kelly added: “He went through at speed and smashed my nan to pieces.”
When the verdict was announced, someone in the public gallery shouted: “You ruined our family with no consequences”, a sentiment Chris said summed up their feelings.
Following last week’s verdict at the Old Bailey, the Metropolitan Police said its “thoughts and sympathies” remain with the family and that the force is “deeply sorry”.
Commander Adam Slonecki said escort riders now have bullhorns fitted to their motorcycles and that lessons had been learned.
“She didn’t deserve to die in that way”: Kelly Williams says she will “never ever forgive” PC Harrison
But the family say the changes do not go far enough, and are now calling for outriders to be required to stop and physically control pedestrian crossings showing a green signal.
“Had they done that on that day, my nan would still be here,” Kelly said.
They also believe there should be an upper age limit for officers carrying out high-speed escort duties.
“He should not have been doing that job,” Kelly said.
Chris – himself 80 – agreed: “I don’t think you should be driving high-powered motorbikes at that age.”
Both say VIP convoys should travel at normal road speeds when there is no emergency.
“She was on her way back to Windsor for tea,” Chris said of the Duchess of Edinburgh’s journey that day. “What was the necessity for speed?”
Despite their anger, they say they do not blame the Duchess herself and are grateful she wrote to the family and sent flowers.
“I have no ill feeling…this was PC Harrison’s bad judgement that caused the death of my nan, not Sophie’s,” Kelly said.
Around the time of Helen’s death, Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying the Duchess was “deeply saddened to hear that Helen Holland has passed away. Her Royal Highness’s deepest condolences and sympathies go to all of Ms Holland’s family.”
Asked whether she could ever forgive PC Harrison, Kelly replied: “This incident isn’t about him. It’s about us. This has had a profound effect on our family, and for that, we will never forgive him.”
After more than two years of grief and a trial they regard as unfair, the family say they have been left with what Chris calls a “rotten closure”.
The family also fears for public safety if PC Harrison returns to escort duties.
“If Mr Harrison is allowed back on that motorbike after doing what he has done, then I really fear for the public,” Kelly said.
From Birchanger in Essex, Helen was a mother of four, a grandmother and great-grandmother.
Her brother Chris described her as “the matriarch” of a large, close-knit family.
“She was the glue,” he told ITV News.
“She was the pinnacle…whenever there were big family parties, they had to have them in the village hall because she had so many grandchildren.
“She was always kind…she shouldn’t be forgotten.”
Kelly said her nan was “one of a kind”.
Their family’s weekly Sunday visits to Helen’s house ended abruptly after her death, leaving deep emotional scars.
“My eldest daughter is still going through therapy because she’s so worried I might just go out one day and never come home,” she revealed.
Though cleared in court, PC Harrison still faces potential gross misconduct proceedings.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct says there is evidence he may have breached professional behaviour standards, including failing to activate his body-worn camera.
The family has also announced plans to sue the Metropolitan Police – not for compensation, they say, but for recognition that Helen “did nothing wrong”.
A judicial spokesperson told ITV News: “Judicial independence and impartiality are fundamental to the rule of law.
“Upon taking office, judges take the judicial oath where they swear to act ‘without fear or favour, affection or ill will’.
“In each case, judges make decisions based on the evidence and arguments presented to them and apply the law as it stands.”
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Service told ITV News: “We would once again like to express our condolences to the family of Helen Holland.
“The actions of PC Christopher Harrison were independently investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
“This was followed by a trial, at which PC Harrison’s evidence was considered by a jury, and he was found not guilty. We respect that verdict.
“Age is not a barrier to service in the Met. Meeting rigorous training and selection standards is the only benchmark.
“To ride with the Special Escort Group, officers must undertake a selection process spanning around a year, followed by around 20 weeks of driving and other courses.
“They must then complete a yearly medical assessment, and five specialist driving assessments every two to three years. PC Harrison was fully compliant.
“PC Harrison will remain on restricted duties while we await direction from the IOPC about any future misconduct proceedings.
“We cannot comment on any stated intention by Mrs Holland’s family to bring legal proceedings against the Met.”
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