The sister of a Met firearms officer who shot himself in front of police during a tense standoff in Wallington said there were ‘heavy criticisms’ of GPs who saw him shortly before he died.

Tony Hanley, turned a gun on himself near his home in Bridge Road, Wallington, on January 30 after armed officers negotiated with him and fired a Taser and rubber bullets at him.

That night police were called to Mr Hanley’s home, in Melbourne Road, after concerns were raised about his welfare and was found brandishing a firearm in a nearby street at about 8pm.

Officers entered into negotiations, but fired a Taser and two baton rounds after talks broke down.

He died from his injuries the following morning at St George’s Hospital.

The 51-year-old tested firearms for the Metropolitan Police and was formally identified by family members following his death.

At a pre-review inquest at Croydon Coroner’s court on Wednesday, December 6, the court heard that Mr Hanley had been a member of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) before it closed in December 2010 and that he had access to firearms.

His sister Laura Hanley was present at the hearing with her partner and raised concerns about the two GPs who had spoken with Mr Hanley during an exchange with the senior coroner. 

Senior Coroner, Selena Lynch, said: “His activity with the FSS was unseen by the Metropolitan Police Service. Everything happening to him employment-wise was not known to the force.

“The FSS does not exist anymore and as a result there is no one who can tell the jury, but I can explore that if the family wishes. What we will do if we want it explored is we would need a witness to tell us if there had been full disclosure by the FSS and what the outcome would have been.

Ms Lynch added: “I regard that to be history, but what I would be willing to know is his health history. We know that he saw his GP soon before his death and if there was a witness if it’s to be suggested that there are criticisms.”

In response Mr Hanley’s sister Laura said: “There are heavy criticisms with the GP. He saw two and they are both within the same practice.”

The Independent Police Complaints Commission report that was launched following Mr Hanley’s deaths and will be released once the inquest is finished.

A preliminary date for Mr Hanley’s inquest has been set for June, next year.

If you knew Tony Hanley and would like to speak to a Sutton Guardian reporter email: anders.anglesey@london.newsquest.co.uk, or call 020 8722 6358.