British police say sorry for dead biker pictures

LONDON, Apr 29 (Reuters) British police apologised to the family of a decapitated motorcyclist today after photographs of the biker were shown without their consent.

There have been calls for North Wales Police Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom to resign after he used images of 40-year-old Mark Gibney, who died in a crash in 2003, in a private briefing to journalists to back up his anti-speeding policy.

One picture showed Gibney's headless torso, while another showed his severed head, in a helmet, on a grass verge.

''North Wales Police have written to the family of Mark Gibney to apologise for the distress caused,'' said North Wales Police in a statement.

''North Wales Police accepts and regrets that it made a mistake in believing that description of pictures shown to this invited audience would remain confidential.'' Reuters JK DB2301