Family and supporters of a man shot dead by police were yet again dragged through the courts yesterday, as a hearing to publicly identify the officer was stalled by legal procedures.

The day should have seen information on the 2005 killing of Azelle Rodney come to light, with the anonymity of the police officer charged with his death due to be dropped at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Yet as the defence insisted on keeping the man’s identity unknown, the case was dragged from court to court with no relief for Mr Rodney’s family.