MP urges police to re-open investigation into 1984 murder of gay rights activist

The MP for Lancashire’s Rossendale and Darwen is urging the London Metropolitan Police to reopen the unsolved murder of gay rights activist Drew Griffiths, just over 34 years after the brutal killing took place.

Playwright, actor and gay rights activist, Drew Griffiths, was murdered in an alleged hate crime after meeting a man at the Elephant and Castle on 18 June 1984. His killer was never found.

Now Jake Berry MP is calling for police to reopen the investigation, arguing it was not investigated properly due to stigma surrounding homosexuality at the time.

He said: “It is an absolute scandal that this case was not properly investigated, there is someone out there who has literally got away with murder.

“There are allegations that this case was not properly investigated by the police at the time because of Drew’s sexuality and his work as an activist.”

When the attack took place in 1984, gay men across the western world struggled for acceptance as the new and incurable HIV virus plagued gay men and women, igniting a backlash from the public as the media painted them as victims of their own actions.

Despite widespread rejection, Drew Griffiths bravely fought for gay rights in London, establishing the Gay Sweatshop Theatre Company with eleven others to tear down the public’s perception of homosexuals. It was one of the UK’s first LGBT-specific groups, and even saw the likes of acclaimed British actor Simon Callow rank among its membership.

Conservative MP Jake Berry is calling for police to re-open the investigation into Drew's death.

Following Drew’s murder in 1984, British synthpop band Bronki Beat dedicated their UK Top Ten single ‘Why?’ – a song about anti-gay prejudice from their album Age of Consent – to his memory.

Glynn Kelly was a close friend to Mr Griffiths and brought the case to Mr Berry’s attention.

She said: “Drew was lively, witty, intelligent – and great company; He was a dynamic and positive life force. However, at the time of his murder he was dealing with some mental health issues and was very vulnerable.”

The Metropolitan Police have said they will be examining the original case files from the 1980s, but have refrained from confirming whether the investigation will be formally reopened.

Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers (UK) on 0800 555 111.

Words: Charlotte Callear

In This Article: