![\"Helen](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1_Helen_Holland.jpg\")
Helen Holland’s family have criticised the speeding police outrider who struck her as he escorted the Duchess of Edinburgh<\/p>\nHelen Holland, 81, was killed after being hit by a speeding police outrider escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh. Last week, PC Christopher Harrison, 68, was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving.Helen Holland’s family have criticised the speeding police outrider who struck her as he escorted the Duchess of Edinburgh<\/p>\n
The family of a great-gran killed after being hit by a speeding police outrider escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh<\/a> today blasted his acquittal, saying: “Police are above the law.”<\/p>\n Helen Holland, 81, was struck crossing a road at a “green man” signal by a motorcycle escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh. Last week, PC Christopher Harrison, 68, was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving.<\/a> Met escort riders are allowed to run red lights and break speed limits if it is necessary and safe.<\/p>\n But the Holland family say the verdict over the incident in Earl’s Court, West London, in 2023,<\/a> has left them feeling, \u201ccheated\u201d, \u201cdevastated\u201d and has knocked their faith in the justice system.<\/p>\n READ MORE: County Louth crash victims were couple who had ‘just returned from Dubai holiday’<\/a>READ MORE: M66 tragedy as teen on foot killed in Tesla horror collision ‘after police chase’<\/a> Speaking exclusively to ITV News<\/a>, Helen\u2019s brother, Chris Holmes, and granddaughter, Kelly Williams, said the decision effectively shifted responsibility onto Helen herself – even though the pedestrian signal was green. Chris said: \u201cIf the policeman is not guilty of careless driving, then she\u2019s guilty of careless walking. I feel there\u2019s a terrible injustice.\u201d<\/p>\n Kelly said: \u201cThis is just an example of a two-tier justice system. The police are above the law.\u201d She also urged the public to be extra vigilant when crossing a green man because \u201cmore people will die at the hands of the police because they can just go through a red light, kill a pedestrian when it’s their right of way \u201c.<\/p>\n During the trial, the court heard PC Harrison – an experienced rider with the Met\u2019s specialist escort group – was travelling between 44mph and 58mph in a 30mph zone. He told jurors Helen \u201cjust appeared\u201d in front of him as he approached the controlled crossing, which was red for traffic at the time. However, the family have rejected this explanation entirely. Kelly added: \u201cHe went through at speed and smashed my nan to pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n Following last week\u2019s verdict at the Old Bailey, the Metropolitan Police said its \u201cthoughts and sympathies\u201d remain with the family and that the force is \u201cdeeply sorry\u201d. Commander Adam Slonecki said escort riders now have bullhorns fitted to their motorcycles and that lessons had been learned.<\/p>\n But the family say the changes do not go far enough, now calling for outriders to be required to stop and physically control pedestrian crossings showing a green signal. \u201cHad they done that on that day, my nan would still be here,\u201d Kelly said. They also believe there should be an upper age limit for officers carrying out high-speed escort duties. \u201cHe should not have been doing that job,\u201d Kelly said. Chris, 80, said: \u201cI don\u2019t think you should be driving high-powered motorbikes at that age.\u201d<\/p>\n Both say VIP convoys should travel at normal road speeds when there is no emergency. \u201cShe was on her way back to Windsor for tea,\u201d Chris said of the Duchess of Edinburgh\u2019s journey that day. \u201cWhat was the necessity for speed?\u201d<\/p>\n Despite their anger, they say they do not blame the Duchess herself and are grateful she wrote to the family and sent flowers. Around the time of Helen\u2019s death, the Buckingham Palace<\/a> issued a statement saying the Duchess was \u201cdeeply saddened to hear that Helen Holland has passed away”. The statement added: “Her Royal Highness\u2019s deepest condolences and sympathies go to all of Ms Holland\u2019s family.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked whether she could ever forgive PC Harrison, Kelly replied: \u201cThis incident isn\u2019t about him. It\u2019s about us. This has had a profound effect on our family, and for that, we will never forgive him.\u201d<\/p>\n After more than two years of grief and a trial they regard as unfair, the family say they have been left with what Chris calls a \u201crotten closure.\u201d Though cleared in court, PC Harrison still faces potential gross misconduct proceedings. The Independent Office for Police Conduct says there is evidence he may have breached professional behaviour standards, including failing to activate his body-worn camera. The family has also announced plans to sue the Metropolitan Police – not for compensation, they say, but for recognition that Helen \u201cdid nothing wrong\u201d.<\/p>\n![\"Duchess](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1_Helen-Holland-death.jpg\")
Last week, PC Christopher Harrison, 68, was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving as he escorted the Duchess of Edinburgh(Image: PA)<\/p>\n