Emotional scenes outside Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court saw the family of Habib 'Paps' Ullah console one another this afternoon, with campaigners vowing to fight on for “justice” after jurors returned a verdict of misadventure with narrative attached.

The 39-year-old died nearly seven years ago after a package containing crack cocaine became lodged in his throat during a restraint by Thames Valley Police officers.

A crowd gathered to hear the jury's verdict at the court in Beaconsfield this afternoon.

A small number of those present in the public gallery were issued warnings about being disruptive, with at least one person being ejected before the jury returned with their conclusion.

The 11 jurors, who were given the option of returning a verdict of “unlawful killing” concluded that the death was misadventure, adding a narrative attachment. To view the jury's full response to the questions posed, click here.

Following the result, friends and family held a banner which read “Justice for Habib 'Paps' Ullah” outside the court house this afternoon.

Zia Ullah, Paps' cousin, said: “The running theme throughout it was they [the jury] remained highly critical of the restraint and the level of force that came into it.

“What's really concerning is Article 2 - Right to Life. There was no consideration to right of life [and] no after care.”

He added: “It is only right that people irrespective of their positions are accountable for their actions.

“It has been a long and drawn out journey in trying to hold Thames Valley Police and their officers to account. What we didn't expect was that officers would change their statements, withhold evidence, and that witnesses to Habib's death were not interviewed at the time.

“At every point, even with the involvement of the IPCC attempts were made to bend what had happened to the extent that the first inquest had to be abandoned.

“Our family campaign has been resilient and persistent in challenging the false narratives and smearing of Habib. It is this persistence that has seen justice upheld today with this verdict and this completely vindicates our campaign and our initial concerns.

“Although we have reached an outcome, seven years of campaigning has left no faith in the very institutions that are supposed to investigate the police and ensure that justice is served.”

The family has lodged civil action against Thames Valley Police. The force has also confirmed that it will be conducting its own investigation into the five officers' conduct.

Nasrit Mahmood, sister of Paps, said: “We are pleased that we have a critical narrative verdict. It's been an extremely difficult time for the family since my brother, Habib, died at the hands of Thames Valley Police.

“What is so hard to accept is that it has taken almost seven years for an inquest to be completed into his death. All these years of fighting has taken a tremendous toll on the family and just in the last few days, my late brother’s wife has had to go to hospital again due to panic attacks.

“There are still many matters that remain unresolved. We are deeply unhappy about events that took place afterwards at the police station and the way statements were changed.

“We hope that the forthcoming disciplinary hearings will be both effective and will send out a clear message to officers about their conduct.

“We also hope that CPS will finally put the officers concerned on trial. Whatever the outcome we will be considering a civil claim on the basis of assault and breaches of Article 2 Right to Life.

“We would like to thank our legal team Anthony Metzer QC and Marian Ellingworth for their support and hard work on our Habib's case and our two brothers Saqib Deshmukh and Zia Ullah without whom there would be no campaign.”

Justice4Paps campaigners chanted “no justice, no peace” following speeches from relatives outside the courthouse.