“The family of Michael Riddiough-Allen would like to thank the media and the wider public for the compassion they have shown us over the last four weeks.
“As we are yet to bury Michael, we would like to request that this continues until after the funeral. We will soon be announcing firm plans for the celebration of Michael’s life and our plans for a legacy to him, one where we hope no other family must go through what we have.
“After the funeral, we will explain all of this in detail, including our plans to create a MIKES Trust charity and how we plan to use what we have gone through as a family to raise the profile and impact that the terrible effects that knife crime has.
“However, the family have no comment to make about the events surrounding Michael’s death on April 30, 2023, until the ending of any legal process, such as the current court verdict which may be sometime in the year. As a family, we are desperate for justice, and this cannot be served by casual comment, rumour, speculation or hearsay.
“The harsh reality, one that we as a family are acutely aware we will be facing is the events leading up to and including what happened on the night we lost Michael will only truly emerge in court and as such, all of us will hear the news at the same time.
“While we might have to wait for justice to do its course, we will in short time, share details with you of how we are going to celebrate the wonderful life that Michael led and how we plan to use our experiences to try and help create a society where a knife does not cost a life.
“Thank you.”
— END STATEMENT —
Notes to Editors:
Please note that we cannot comment on anything that may prejudice the court process that is about to take place and the family of Michael Riddiough-Allen would appreciate it if we are not asked to do so.
We would be hugely grateful if you will work with us as we build MIKES trust in order to ensure other families don’t go through what we have.
Media Contact:
Aaron Greenaway [email protected]