Five men have been charged with involvement in the murder of a private detective 21 years ago.

James Cook, 53, a builder from Tadworth in Surrey, brothers Garry Vian, 47, and Glenn Vian, 49, and William Rees, 53, from Surrey are accused of killing Daniel Morgan outside Sydenham in 1987.

Sidney Fillery, 61, understood to be a former Met police detective – from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, has been charged with perverting the course of justice.

All five are set to appear before City of Westmister magistrates on Thursday.

Mr Morgan – allegedly on the verge of exposing police corruption – was found with an axe embedded in his head in the Golden Lion car park on March 10, 1987.

His £900 Rolex watch was missing, but £1,100 was left in his pocket.

Mr Morgan’s family believe the father-of-two, 37, was killed by a professional hitman because he had uncovered evidence of a south London drugs network involving bent officers.

The charges come after a fresh police investigation involving 20 detectives was launched three years ago. Four previous inquiries failed to bring anyone to justice.

Scotland Yard reiterated its appeal for witnesses with the offer of a £50,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.

Assistant Commissioner John Yates, in overall charge of the re-investigation, said: “The current investigation has shown that there are still people out there who have highly pertinent evidence about this case.

“I urge anyone with any information, however small, to get in touch with us.”

Anyone with any information is urged to phone 020 7230 5925 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.