Yard throws out 'honour killing' label

"Honour" killings have been re-named by Scotland Yard to reflect the true seriousness of the crime, it was disclosed today.

Head of homicide Commander Andy Baker said detectives were now calling the offence "murder in the name of so-called honour".

He said the change reflected the fact that there was no honour in killing a relative, even if they were thought to have brought the family into disrepute.

"It's not about honour, it's murder. The name 'honour killings' gives it too much status," Mr Baker told a London conference on such crimes and violence against women.

"It is wrong to claim killing someone over 'honour' is a mitigating factor. I personally think it's an aggravating factor.

"The planning and meticulous preparation for the murder where 'honour' is involved is not like a fight in the street that leads to manslaughter in the heat of the moment."

Scotland Yard is reexamining 109 murders over the last decade which detectives suspect may have been motivated in this way. Of 22 cases already analysed in depth, police believe it is highly probable that 18 were socalled "honour" killings.