Former Met authority boss defends son

A former head of the Metropolitan Police Authority today denied his son was involved in the riots.

Len Duvall's son Mark was arrested at his home in Woolwich after someone claimed to recognise him in CCTV footage released by police.

Mr Duvall is a Labour member of the London Assembly and as the former head of the authority was a supporter of ex-commissioner Ian Blair.

He defended his son, saying the allegations are "completely untrue" and that further examination of the footage will prove that his son did not take part in the riots.

Mark is accused of joining a mob that ransacked a branch of Vodafone. It was reported that police did not find any stolen goods when they searched his home last week.

Mr Duvall told the Standard: "There is other evidence here and when it is looked at it will show that my son wasn't there at the time of the riots. Allegations have been made against my son. They are completely wrong and untrue. My son is cooperating fully with the police to ensure they are able to conduct their inquiries. He is innocent and a victim of a malicious allegation."

Mark is reported to have said: "I was at home the whole time. These claims are untrue and have been made because of who my dad is." He was released on bail until next month.

In the weeks before the arrest Mr Duvall, 49, called on the public to turn in suspected rioters, saying he was "dismayed and outraged by the mindless violence".