This week Matt Johnson tells us about his new book – covering an incident which I know is very personal to him, and which I remember vividly from TV coverage at the time
With the Gwyl Crime Cymru festival only recently concluded with some considerable success, I count myself very fortunate to be able to ride the crest of that wave and complete an entry for our Crime Cymru blog now.
And it’s also timely as, on the 8th June, my first foray into the world on non-fiction crime writing goes public when Ad Lib publish No Ordinary Day, the true account of the 1984 murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan Embassy in London. Many of you, I’m sure, will remember the day when Yvonne was shot in front of the TV cameras by a gunman with a Sterling machine gun from the first-floor window behind where she was standing, supervising an anti-Gaddafi demonstration. Some of you will be aware that I knew Yvonne as a friend and I drove the police traffic car that escorted her to hospital. The truth about what happened that day, how it happened, who carried it out and why, will surprise you. The behind the scenes look at the longest siege in UK policing history will, I hope, enthral you. The truth about the involvement of the UK Government of the time and the role of our Security Services in what happened that day, and subsequently, may shock you.
The idea behind this book came about a few years ago when I was invited to meet some former colleagues to record a programme for the Victoria Derbyshire show. John Murray, the former PC who held Yvonne Fletcher as she lay dying and who promised her he would not rest until he’d achieved justice for her, had been campaigning for over three decades to have Yvonne’s killers brought to justice. John was a fan of my novels and was aware I had dedicated my first, Wicked Game, to her memory. During the day, we visited Yvonne’s grave at Semley Church and it was on the train that the idea of a book was first muted. I agreed that I would try and, although I knew I was venturing into uncharted territory, I began almost as soon as I arrived home. To begin with, I spoke to a lot of people. I conducted a few interviews with people who had been present on the day of the shooting and this led to invitations to meet with others who had been involved in the siege and subsequent criminal enquiry. Soon, a complicated picture began to emerge that revealed a story far more complicated, and sinister, than I had expected. Many hours spent at the National Archives viewing and reading Government papers, telex messages, records of meetings and other documents was followed by several Freedom of Information requests, all of which were delayed and challenging to progress. Gradually, the full story began to emerge and by then, I realised I had something in my hands that I felt was worthy of being read.
When I first outlined the story to Broo Doherty, my literary agent, I saw her jaw visibly drop as I outlined the secrets I had discovered and the reality of what had been going on behind the scenes in the UK of the 1980s and 90s, and how the aftermath of the Libyan Embassy siege had, effectively changed our Secret Services and shaped the future of UK policing for the next four decades. We realised then, this was a significant story that would need to be handled by a publisher with the skill to handle it. Tentative enquiries with publishers soon produced a result, but it was not the one hoped for or expected. An executive producer from TV production company was interested. He asked for a copy of the manuscript, it was sent, and within a short time the TV/Film rights were sold, even before the book rights. Not longer after, I was introduced to Duncan Proudfoot from Ad Lib publishers and we knew then we had found the right home for the book.
And now, on the 8th June, No Ordinary Day will be launched at Goldsboro Books in London. The event wasn’t advertised publicly but, within a short time, it was fully booked. The BBC are sending their Home Affairs Correspondent with a camera team, and many dignitaries are attending including the head of the Police Federation, the heads of a number of police charities, two MPs, journalists, tv writers, BBC sounds podcast people and many others. Most importantly, a large number of retired police officers who were present on the day Yvonne was shot, or who worked with her, will also be attending. It promises to be a memorable reunion. Am I daunted? Will I be nervous? Golly, yes!
But, for me this will also be an important day. I realised, as I wrote No Ordinary Day, that the lessons I had learned writing novels and, in particular, the teaching I received from West Camel, my editor at Orenda Books, had prepared me for what would be my greatest writing challenge. The fact that the truth behind Yvonne Fletcher’s death will now be told is due, in no small part, to his ability to turn me, an ex-cop who could tell a story, into a writer who could produce a book good enough to be published. This is, quite possibly, the book I was destined to write. To those who helped prepare me, I will always be grateful.
No Ordinary Day has been described by leading crime writer, Lee Child as ‘An important book, especially now – both an intensely personal story, and a sober analysis of a political scandal’ For some, it will be a very uncomfortable read. For many, it may confirm what they already suspect, that we, the public, know very little of the decisions being made by our elected representatives and the actions taken by official bodies, supposedly in our best interests.
Authors: Matt Johnson served for twenty-five years, first as a soldier then as an officer in the Metropolitan Police. Forced to retire as a result of PTSD, while undergoing treatment Matt was encouraged to write as part of his therapy. The result was his 2016 debut novel, Wicked Game, which was shortlisted for a Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Award. This was followed by Deadly Game and End Game. Matt’s fourth novel, Crow 27, was published in late 2022. No Ordinary Day is his first non-fiction book. Retired police officer JOHN MURRAY worked closely with Yvonne Fletcher and held her as she lay dying. For 37 years he has campaigned and fought resolutely to bring her killer to justice.
Matt and John will be appearing at CrimeCon23 on 10th June, at Hatchards Piccadilly on 27th June and at the Bow Street Museum on 29th June. Matt will be at Capital Crime on 1st August this year.
For further information please contact Publicity Manager Mel Sambells Mel@Mardlebooks.com
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