Misconduct inquiry over fatal schoolgirl crash
Misconduct Inquiry Over Fatal Schoolgirl Crash
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an inquiry into the actions of 11 Metropolitan Police officers regarding the handling of an incident in Wimbledon that resulted in the deaths of two girls three years ago. Four current officers and one former detective constable are under scrutiny for potential gross misconduct.
Crash Details and Initial Investigation
In July 2023, a Land Rover driven by Claire Freemantle collided with a tea party held at The Study Preparatory School, killing eight-year-olds Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) did not charge Freemantle, citing an undiagnosed epileptic seizure as the cause of her accident. However, the families of the victims have consistently argued that the investigation was insufficient.
We have always sought the truth, and will continue to champion the pursuit of complete clarity on the events of that devastating day and subsequent actions taken by the Metropolitan Police,” said the families in a statement. “The truth must come to light.”
IOPC’s Investigation Focus
The IOPC’s probe, initiated in August 2025, aims to evaluate whether Met officers provided misleading information to those affected and if their treatment of victims was influenced by racial bias. The inquiry will also examine the investigation’s management, team conduct, and engagement with the families.
Met Police Reopens Case
Following an internal review, the Metropolitan Police announced in October 2024 that it was restarting its investigation into the crash. Claire Freemantle was re-arrested in January 2025 on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was interviewed again in July 2025. In a prior statement, she expressed sorrow but admitted to having no memory of the event.
Families’ Frustration and Calls for Transparency
From their Wimbledon home, surrounded by photographs of Nuria, her parents conveyed their deep concerns. Nuria’s mother, Smera Chohan, who is now undergoing her fifth surgery after injuries from the crash, voiced anger and sadness. “I hope the IOPC will cover that,” she said. “I really want to understand why I have been treated so cruelly, unfairly and in an inhumane way. I would like the keepers of law, of the system, to come and tell me.”
Nuria’s father, Sajjad Butt, added: “We are deeply concerned – the CPS has left us in the dark. As the organisation that is supposed to move towards justice for victims, it seems rather unwilling to engage with victims. The last time we were treated unfairly, we know that now, and we’re concerned that that’s going to happen again. The system is broken – the system is supposed to protect victims and we are not protected. We have been left out in the cold.”
The CPS confirmed it received a complete evidence file from the Met Police on 17 March and sought additional legal guidance last week. However, further factors remain to be assessed before a final decision on charges is made. Prosecutors reached out to the family shortly after the BBC requested a response, but the families feel the process is still incomplete.
