De Menezes Litigation 'Settled'

It has just been revealed that all litigation arising out of the tragic death of Jean Charles de Menezes has been resolved.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and representatives of the de Menezes family said this afternoon that all litigation matters are agreed as settled.

In a joint statement, the members of the family said they are pleased that a compensation package has been agreed which enables them to put these events behind them and move forward with their lives.

In view of the physical and mental distress caused to the members of the family by these events and the understandable publicity and press interest, it has been agreed that it is in the best interests of the family that no further statement in relation to this settlement will be made either by them or the Commissioner.

"The Commissioner would like to take this opportunity of making a further unreserved apology to the family for the tragic death of Jean Charles de Menezes and to reiterate that he was a totally innocent victim and in no way to blame for his untimely death," the senior police officer stated.

Officers mistook the victim for would-be suicide bomber Hussain Osman, codenamed Nettletip.

At the time, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick told an Old Bailey jury: "The death of Mr de Menezes is a terrible tragedy and one that I, and I think the whole of the Metropolitan Police, regret.

"I think he was the victim of the most extraordinary and terrible circumstances."

The Metropolitan Police was accused of a "catastrophic" series of failures leading up to the death of Mr de Menezes, who was shot seven times at Stockwell Tube station on July 22 2005.

See: Police In 'Dock' Over Menezes Killing

(BMcC/KMcA)