Weather Afternoon: 12°c Light showers Tonight: 8°c Light showers

News

HEADLINES:

New Menezes report 'very critical' of Blair

Rob Singh, Crime Reporter
17.07.08

Sir Ian Blair is under renewed pressure following criticisms of the Metropolitan police in a report on the Stockwell shooting due to be released tomorrow.

Source have told the Standard that the Metropolitan Police Authority is "very critical" of Sir Ian's force in its report into the death of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, who was killed at Stockwell Tube by firearms officers who mistook him for a suicide bomber on 22 July 2005.

The report - titled Scrutiny into Stockwell - looks at how the Met responded to recommendations made by police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission after the shooting.

But it is also believed to cover the circumstances of Mr de Menezes's death and the police's handling of the operation.

Sources close to the MPA said the report is critical of senior officers in charge of the operation, including Sir Ian. "It's damning of certain actions and individuals," said the sources. "Pressure is going to increase on the Commissioner."

The report - compiled by four MPA members - is to be discussed at a meeting of the full authority next Thursday.

The inquest into the death of Mr de Menezes, 27, will be held in September at Southwark crown court.

Last year the IPCC's final report into Stockwell made 16 recommendations to the Met. It blamed the shooting on poor communication and mistakes within Scotland Yard.

A week before the IPCC report was released, the force was fined £175,000 after it was convicted at the Old Bailey under the Health and Safety Act of endangering the public during the drama.

The MPA today refused to discussed the contents of its report until it is released tomorrow.

Reader views (2)

 Add your view

Blair should certainly take responsibility for the Stockwell mess. So far he has tried hard to avoid this, but it will not go away. The person who needs to stand up and be counted is however Commander Cressida Dick. She authorized the use of lethal force, then pretended that she did not know what was going on, and then had the impudence to say that she would have done the same again. She is responsible, at a minimum for the manslaughter of de Menezes. Yet she seems to have got off scot free, and even been promoted. The top cops at Scotland Yard do not understand that they used to be trusted with our lives. With trigger happy lunatics like Cressida Dick out there we now need protection from the cops as much as from the bad guys.

- Simon Evans, Crockett, California

The Metropolitan Police shot an innocent man. They spread misleading and downright untrue press release to the media, remember the ones that claimed "the man was wearing bulky clothing" and "he jumped the barriers"? All lies and smear.
The person in charge of this farce? Mr Blair. He is not fit for purpose should should resign or be sacked.

- Paul Wolkus, London, UK


Add your comment

 

Your email address will not be published

Terms and conditions make text area bigger You have  characters left.


 

Don't Miss

Steamy scenes for Purnell in Turkish bath

Scheming over the future of the Labour Party continues even in the most unlikely places

All stories


Promotions

Environmental initiatives

Find out how you can help to meet the challenges of climate change in London.


The Open University

Every year The Open University helps thousands of professionals progress in their careers.


Win the Best Seats

In London theatre when you vote for your favourite celebrity spec wearer.


Breast Cancer Care

Donate £1 and leave a message of support for a loved one in the Swarovski Garden of Wishes.


Win an iPodTouch

With Courvoisier when you share your thoughts on this week's cocktail.