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Witnesses to de Menezes killing did not hear officers shout 'armed police'
Last updated at 13:37pm on 08.11.07
Victim: Jean Charles de Menezes
Today's release of a damning report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission raised more questions about the police operation that led to the death of the innocent Brazilian.
One of the points raised is the fact the 17 people on-board the busy Stockwell Underground train did not hear officers shout 'armed police' but eight police officers in the carriage did.
The report highlighted a series of major failings, including poor communication between officers that led to Mr de Menezes being mistakenly identified as a wanted terrorist.
The report also revealed that prosecutors considered and rejected murder charges against the two officers who fired the fatal shots - and included the officers' first public accounts of the event.
One officer, known only as Charlie 2, described seeing a surveillance officer grab Mr de Menezes.
The report said: "Charlie 2 stated that he was convinced that the man was a suicide bomber and was about to detonate a bomb."
IPCC chairman Nick Hardwick said Sir Ian Blair was responsible for 'much of the avoidable difficulty'
Witness accounts described how Mr de Menezes was attempting to get off the train through the open doors as the armed officers ran on board.
Investigators said this reaction, which the Met claimed during the Old Bailey added to the officers' suspicious, was "not surprising".
The report said: "He (Mr de Menezes) had been in London on 7 and 21 July 2005 and, in common with all commuters, he too was probably in fear of further bombing campaigns.
"His actions were more likely attempts to leave the train to avoid any further incident."
Investigators also said officers should review the Metropolitan Police's controversial shoot-to-kill Operation Kratos policy.
The report showed charges of gross negligence against Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick, who was in charge of the ill-fated operation, were also considered and rejected.
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Clinging to his job: Sir Ian Blair facing renewed calls from politicians to quit over the death of Jean Charles de Menezes
Much of the 167-page IPCC report formed the basis of the successful Old Bailey prosecution against the Metropolitan Police for health and safety breaches.
But it contained previously unpublished details about the police operation and the final moments of Mr de Menezes' life on board the Victoria Line train.
It is sure to lead to fresh calls for the resignation of under-fire Sir Ian, who lost a vote of confidence at a meeting of the London Assembly yesterday.
The report revealed that:
• Police officers failed to take advantage of a 30-minute window of opportunity to correctly identify whether Mr de Menezes was a suspected terrorist
• There was no contingency plan available to deal with a suspect travelling on public transport despite the nature of the 7/7 and 21/7 attacks
• None of the 17 members of the public on board the Stockwell Underground train recalled hearing officers shout "armed police" but all eight police in the carriage said they had
• Ms Dick missed part of the early morning briefing at New Scotland Yard after being sent to the wrong room
• Armed response officers from the Met's CO19 unit were not in place to intercept suspects leaving Scotia Road and were later in the wrong place to intercept him
• There were "gaps in the planning" about how the premises would be contained
• It was a "failure of strategy" to allow Mr de Menezes to board the number 2 bus at Tulse Hill towards central London, including an "inexplicable" failure to stop him reboarding the vehicle
• Ms Dick should have said that the Met's shoot-to-kill policy, Operation Kratos, had not been engaged and there was confusion over what the order to "stop" Mr de Menezes meant
The report concluded: "The IPCC investigation into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes has, however, raised grave concerns about the effectiveness of the police response on July 22, 2005.
"Our concerns are not only, as in this case, the risk of an entirely innocent member of the public being killed in error, but also whether the police response would stop a terrorist who was intent on causing harm."
It recommended that the Home Office take urgent action to review how police respond to terrorist incidents.
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Sir Ian Blair also faced questioning in the London Assembly yesterday
IPCC chair Nick Hardwick said Metropolitan Police chief, Sir Ian Blair, was responsible for "much of the avoidable difficulty" caused after the Stockwell tragedy.
In a statement, Mr Hardwick said calls for changes to health and safety laws to exclude some police operations were "the wrong road".
He said: "The defining feature of the police in this country is that the law applies to them individually and as a service, just as it does to every other citizen and organisation.
"This case is not about creating a more risk-averse police service but a more coherent and effective police response to real threats."
He said Sir Ian Blair attempted to block IPCC investigators from the Stockwell scene, police officers and witnesses.
He said: "The Commissioner attempted to prevent us carrying out an investigation.
"In my view, much of the avoidable difficulty the Stockwell incident has caused the Metropolitan Police arose from the delay in referral.
"In June 2006 the regulations were changed to put beyond doubt the IPCC's powers to investigate an incident of this kind."
He said police forces across the UK had already made changes as a result of the report and these were apparent during the response to the London-Glasgow bombings.
He said: "I am satisfied that the death of Jean Charles de Menezes has been a catalyst for significant improvements in the way in which police deal with the threat of suicide terrorism.
"Those improvements make it less likely that there will be other innocent victims of police shootings, but, as the Inspectors' review makes very clear, much more likely that the police will be able to respond effectively to an actual terrorist threat.
"London and Londoners should be safer as a result. It should not have taken the death of an innocent man to achieve that."
Reader views (15)
I agree with Dennis. These police officers were doing a difficult job in a very difficult situation.
In my opinion the ultimate responsibility for this man's death lies with the terrorists. If they had not created the situation where armed officers had to be out on the streets looking for potential terrorists, then Mr De Menezes would still be alive.
- Ann, London
I neither support nor condemn Ian Blair in this matter but I do seem to recall that he wasn't in his present position for too long before this event and even top executives need time to find their feet before they can be held responsible for the actions of those in their command.
But what I do feel qualified to comment on are the statements from all the armchair experts. When you are in a potential life threatening situation your nerves will make you react to a situation far more quickly than under normal conditions. Had this man been a bomber or spreader of some exotic poison and had these police officers not reacted positively as they did, then what could have been the consequences.
I take my hat off to anyone who goes into a potential shootout knowing full well that they might not come out alive. This time was a tragic accident, acknowledge that and move on because one day, probably not in the too distant future, these officers might be in a similar situation and not react due to all the criticism being levelled at them now.
How many of our brave pundits would be prepared to take on that responsibility or put their lives on the line?
- Dennis, Taplow. U.K.
Let's demolish one myth that New Labour is trying peddle - the removal of Blair would not be a victory for Al Qaeda or the criminal fraternity of London. His personal impact on such matters, as he admitted yesterday, is minimal. The world would not stop spinning on its axis.
There are at least a dozen better qualified, experienced and able officers holding senior positions around the UK who could walk into his office tomorrow and do a much better job. Blair is not unique - he is basically someone who was useful when appointed because he was willing to do what the government wanted, and has now been exposed for the 'average' performer that he really is.
Any Chief Executive who performs under-par at a time of crisis is a liability. That is when the true leader should shine; only the poor leader uses that crisis as an excuse.
- David, Cambridge, UK
This copper is shameless. What is he waiting for? To be seized by the scruff of the neck and thrown out of the Met's building? He's brought the whole police force into disrepute.
- Lesley Brown, Andover
If Menezes actually had been a suicide bomber then the Met's actions were even worse. They did after all allow him to get on two buses and the tube before storming the train in a blind panic and shooting him seven times in the head.
The Met are nothing more than a gaggle of incompetent crooks and dangerous thugs.
- Kerin Cosford, London
Looks like we shall have to watch justice succumb to political back-scratching once again. When Mr. Blunkett was Home Secretary and fired a Chief Constable over problems with intelligence relating to the tragic Soham murder case, we saw a different brand of political expedience, or maybe the term I am searching for is double-standards.
- El-Cid., Hull, East Yorks.,
Ian Blair should have gone two years ago. Criminals must think he's some kind of mate. He looks and sounds too left wing and too pc. Lets have someone who doesnt think he's a politician, is actually a real police commissioner, and that is tough. He's a joke.
- Dave, london
Who cares what the Assembly thinks. They're only a bunch of mere politicians.
- Annabelle, london
One wonders who is in charge here. Obviously this Blair is not much better than the other.
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
Sir Ian Blair should be sacked, but as New Labour's "favourite policeman" he will of course brazen it out with his political backers. The whole thing stinks. An innocent man is shot dead and the New labour establishment shrugs its shoulders and holds no one to account.
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK
Can you imagine what would happen if I shot someone and said "oh it's the wrong guy". You would go to jail! Except for Sir Ian: he is actually still in his job...
- Stevo, London
Lezl -- the evidence has shown that the police were well aware that Mr de Menezes was not a suicide bomber before they shot him. How exactly was he hiding explosives under a thin short jacket? And let's remember two further things: Sir Ian talks about the stresses and strains that those officers were under. We're they not trained specialists? Plus don't forget that the real suicide bombers did get away with it. In other words the Met provided the people of London with no protection whatsoever and an innocent man died. And you wonder why people ask for Sir Ian's resignation?
- Philip, London, England
Just whom, amongst those screeching for Sir Ian Blair's resignation, would have been prepared to take the responsibility if Menedes had actually turned out to be a suicide bomber?
- Lezl, London/UK
If he goes, which he deserves to, no doubt there will be a generous financial settlement, then a lucrative book deal.
- Philip, London, England
A 15 year-old can recognise the error in her actions and withdraw from X-factor. However it appears the higher up you are and the further you have to fall, the harder is it to admit you made a HORRENDOUS error of judgment. "Sir" Blair - SHAME on you!
- Marianne, SW France
