Bury: Lawyer who represented girl's family at inquest dismissed by Met

Attiq Malik worked with relatives of Shukri Abdi at her inquest at Rochdale Coroners' Court.

The 12-year-old girl from Bury lost her life in June 2019 after she entered the River Irwell and her friends lost contact with her.

She had been a pupil of Broad Oak Sports College and had travelled to with her mother to the UK in January 2017.

The inquest found the death was accidental.

Shukri Abdi (Image: Public)

The family subsequently attempted to obtain a judicial review into the circumstances surrounding her death, but a High Court judge refused this in May last year.

The family were represented by Mr Malik, who had argued the conclusion should have been unlawful killing by gross negligence manslaughter.

He said at the time: “The court of public opinion can see for itself what happened. There’s no need for speculation or rumour.

“If ever there was a case where the facts spoke for themselves this is that case.”

Mr Malik, the chairman of the London Muslim Communities Forum, has been dismissed by the Metropolitan Police, where he had been serving on an advisory body.

Attiq Malik (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA)

Footage emerged of Mr Malik leading chants of “From the River to the Sea".

The chant has been branded as anti-Semitic as people claim it calls for the obliteration of Israel.

Campaigners for Palestine have said it is a call for freedom across the region.

The Metropolitan Police have said they have cut ties with Mr Malik.

A force spokesperson said: “The video shared has brought to our attention that the chair of the London Muslim Communities Forum (LMCF) has expressed views in a way which does not align to the Met’s values.

“We regularly engage with a whole range of community groups, many of which hold strongly opposing views.

"It is important that we continue to listen to opposing views. This is how we put community voices at the heart of policing London.

“We will continue to engage with the LMCF and the full range of faith and community advisers.

"The insights, feedback and reach into communities across London continues to play an important role in our response.

“We are already working on a new advisory group ‘charter’ that will include a shared commitment to engage through mutual respect and inclusivity.”

Mr Malik afterwards uploaded a picture by Malcolm X on Twitter with a quote which states: “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”