The Metropolitan police officer charged with murder after Chris Kaba was shot dead can be named by the media, a judge has ruled.
The identity of the firearms officer known only as NX121 had been protected by a court order.
Mark Lucraft KC, the recorder of London, ruled on Monday that media can report the officer’s name on 30 January 2024, as well as NX121’s date of birth.
The ruling followed an application by news organisations, including the Guardian, to challenge the anonymity given to the officer.
Kaba, 24, was killed by a single gunshot fired by a police officer on 5 September 2022 in Streatham, south London. He was in a dark Audi car, which came to a halt and was surrounded by police. The single shot pierced the car windscreen and Kaba was pronounced dead hours later.
NX121 is scheduled to stand trial next year at the Old Bailey in London, where Monday’s hearing was held.
Tight rules govern reporting of criminal trials to ensure they are fair and nothing prejudices them. Usually those charged with criminal offences in England and Wales are named at the point they are charged.
The judge said in his ruling that he had examined “raw underlying intelligence material” before deciding there was not a “real and immediate risk” to NX121 or his family if his identity was made public.
Lucraft said the three-month delay in naming the officer would allow for “the imposition of any additional mitigating measures to be put in place.”
The decision to charge NX121 with murder led to scores of Met firearms officers laying down their weapons, saying they needed a period of reflection.
In an unusual move, the Met responded to the judge’s decision to allow the firearms officer to be named.
Matt Twist, an assistant commissioner, said: “I recognise that for officers this decision will be hugely concerning, and that the impact of this and recent cases is felt right across armed policing and beyond.
“The Met has supported the anonymity hearing by providing evidence and factual information to His Honour Judge Lucraft KC to assist him in making a decision. We take seriously the open justice principle; however, it was important to make the court aware of the effect that loss of anonymity would have in this case.
“We acknowledge the judgment by the court and note the detailed and careful consideration that has taken place.
“We have also been continuing to make representation in the strongest terms to government to expedite their accountability review, and welcome the commitment given by the home secretary for the review to report by the end of the year.”
Kaba’s family said in a statement: “We thank the court for doing the right thing by our family, and working in the public interest of open justice, by naming the officer.
“We must be allowed to know [his] name … We hope the court will now be allowed to do its job without further disruption or delay.”
The order made on Monday by Lucraft prohibits publication of the officer’s address and the taking of photographs or drawings of him, but the decision will be reviewed before the full trial starts before a jury next year.
