Police unprepared for failed bomber

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Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick said she believed Mr de Menezes posed a "great threat" as officers pursued him on July 22 2005.

But she told his inquest nobody anticipated having to search for a failed suicide bomber before a manhunt was launched after an attack on London the previous day.

Explaining how officers had been training for potential attacks since the 9/11 atrocity in New York, she said: "I do not think anybody was anticipating finding a failed suicide bomber. Looking for a failed suicide bomber was not something we had really thought about.

"Before July 2005, we had not had any attack by a suicide bomber, as you know, and we had not had any attack from what you might now call international terrorism."

Responding to questioning about whether the Metropolitan Police could ensure the safety of the intended victims of terrorists, she told the inquest at the Oval cricket ground, south London: "Sadly, I cannot guarantee that, sir."

Ms Dick later spoke of her regret at accelerating the investigation from "green" to "red". She said: "On this occasion nobody ordered 'amber'. This is something I feel, in retrospect, could have been discussed before with my silver commander."

Mr de Menezes, 27, was killed by specialist firearms officers who mistook him for failed suicide bomber Hussain Osman after boarding a train at Stockwell Tube station on July 22 2005.

The inquest at the Oval cricket ground, which is expected to last 12 weeks, was adjourned until Thursday.

Three anonymous officers - named as Brian, Bernard and Nick - are due to give evidence.