Family and friends of Mark Duggan walked out of a memorial service at the weekend following a speech from the deputy leader of the council.

The service was for Mr Duggan, a year after his death which sparked riots around the country, and was attended by his friends, family and members of the community.

During the service, on Sunday afternoon, Deputy Leader of Haringey Council Bernice Vanier took to the podium and talked about the council’s investment in Tottenham.

Friends and family of Mr Duggan angered by the political nature of the councillor’s speech walked out of the service in protest.

Youth activist Symeon Brown, who was at the service said: “It was very disappointing. There was clearly a mood of mourning in the room and it was meant to be a chance for family and friends to remember Mark.

“She didn’t seem to get the emotion in the room and just talked about the council and the money it has spent with no reference to Mark at all.

“The question has to be asked, are our councillors in touch with the community? After that I have to say they are not.”

Councillor Vanier said in response: “I attended the memorial service to demonstrate our support for Mark’s family and for the community’s efforts to move forward.

“I apologise if anything I said caused offence, this was certainly not my intention.”

After the speech people re-entered the hall for the rest of the service at Tottenham Town Hall, in Town Hall Approach Road.

Mark Duggan was shot dead by police on August 4 last year, with his death leading to days of rioting and unrest around the country.

In a statement before the service Pam Duggan called for justice on first anniversary of her son’s death.

She said: “The past 12 months have been terrible. We still have no answers about why my son died.

“Thirty one police officers surrounded Mark and he was shot twice. Why? Why have none of the police officers given statements, one year on?

“One of the last things my partner, Mark’s dad, said before he died a few weeks ago was that he wanted justice for his son. We still don’t have justice.

“I won’t give up until I get justice for Mark. People need to be held to account for my son’s death. There needs to be a full inquest, in front of a jury of ordinary men and women, to find out the truth.”