A GRIEVING girlfriend has changed her name by deed poll after her partner was shot dead by a police officer.

Gail Hadfield, who is now called Mrs Gail Grainger, yesterday gave an emotional interview after the Independent Police Complaints Commission revealed that the officer who shot her partner, Anthony Grainger, is to be criminally investigated.

The 29-year-old said they had talked about getting married just weeks before his death, and had a discussion about who would change their name.

She added: “We had a laugh about changing our names by deed poll before he died. So when this happened, I decided to do it.”

Mr Grainger was in a car stopped by armed police in Culcheth, Cheshire, on March 3 during what was described by police as a “planned operation”.

The 36-year-old, from Deane Church Lane, Deane, was fatally wounded as he sat in the driver’s seat of the Audi after an officer fired a shot through the windscreen.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) launched an investigation, which revealed no weapons were found in the car.

The car had been stolen and had false registration plates.

Mrs Grainger said she did not know what he was doing in the car, or if he knew it was a stolen vehicle.

She added: “They are hiding behind their uniform and the law.”

A dispute has arisen over claims there was surveillance footage of Mr Grainger and the shooting.

Police have strongly denied the claims and say they have handed everything over to the IPCC.

Solicitor Nick Ross, speaking for Mrs Grainger, said: “We understand the police say there is no footage.

“We urge the IPCC do everything within their powers to obtain this evidence, which must exist. We fear a coverup, but any obstruction of the course of justice would itself be a grave matter.”

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “The death of Anthony Grainger is being independently investigated by the IPCC and, as a result, Greater Manchester Police is unable to comment about specific aspects of the incident.

“We understand Mr Grainger’s family want answers as to exactly what happened that night and they are absolutely entitled to those answers. That is why the IPCC is carrying out an independent inquiry.

“I refute in the strongest possible terms any suggestion we have withheld any evidence or information from the IPCC.

“The Force is fully complying with the IPCC and has, and will continue, to supply all evidence and information to allow investigators to carry out their inquiries.

“We will continue to do this as Greater Manchester Police is an open and accountable organisation.”

A spokesman from the IPCC added: “We have been assured by Greater Manchester Police that its officers did not capture any footage of the shooting incident itself.

“We have seen no evidence that would make us question this.

The IPCC has seized all relevant footage taken by local council CCTV cameras in the area at the time.”

Mrs Grainger said she wants other officers to be held to account, not just the one who pulled the trigger, under joint enterprise.

She also spoke about the emotional impact it has had on Mr Grainger’s family.