Blair blamed in Menezes probe delay

Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) chairman Nick Hardwick said Sir Ian Blair was responsible for "much of the avoidable difficulty" caused after the Stockwell tragedy.

A long-awaited report also said prosecutors considered and rejected murder charges against the two officers who fired the fatal shots.

Charges of gross negligence against Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick, who was in charge of the ill-fated operation, were also considered and rejected.

The report highlighted a series of major failings, including poor communication between officers that led to the innocent Brazilian being mistakenly identified as a wanted terrorist.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Sir Ian took steps to exclude IPCC investigators from the scene - one chief inspector recorded in his log that he was told the move was "on the authority of the Commissioner and the Prime Minister".

Thursday's report said this decision by Sir Ian was of "major concern" and "should never occur again". It noted that the IPCC was set up by an Act of Parliament to investigate all serious incidents involving the police.

Mr Hardwick 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."

Sir Ian Blair again refused to resign, saying he was satisfied the force had "significantly improved" procedures for dealing with life-threatening situations in the wake of the tragic blunder.

The commissioner defended his own handling of events after the shooting and said: "I intend to remain in this post."