POLICEMAN Andrew Birks, who was suspended over the death in custody of musician Sean Rigg in 2008, tried to resign from his job to avoid possible misconduct proceedings, the High Court heard yesterday.

Mr Rigg, who suffered from schizophrenia, died after being restrained by Metropolitan Police officers in August 2008.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) cleared police of any wrongdoing in 2010, but a subsequent inquest found police actions had contributed to his death.