IPCC Piles Pressure On London Police Chief

Police chief Sir Ian Blair has been criticised by a watchdog for delaying the investigation into the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner is at the centre of an extraordinary political storm led by shadow home secretary David Davis and others who have repeatedly called for his head following the outcome of an Old Bailey trial.

Sir Ian is now facing fresh calls for his resignation following the long-awaited report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) into the innocent Brazilian electrician's shooting in July 2005 at a London Tube station.

The IPCC's chairman Nick Hardwick said Sir Ian attempted to block IPCC investigators from the Stockwell scene, police officers and witnesses and is responsible for "much of the avoidable difficulty" caused after the tragedy.

The report also revealed that 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 said.

The report contains details of the case not heard during the high profile trial of the Metropolitan Police over the case – in which the force was convicted last week of needlessly endangering the public.

The findings have added pressure on Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, who has resisted calls to resign.

Mr Blair has already fought off a vote of no confidence from London Assembly members, but now, as the IPCC interviewed witnesses, including police officers, who did not give evidence at the health and safety trial that ended last week, it seems certain their damning evidence will further endanger the police chief's position.

This is because the prosecution in that trial only had to show that the police had not taken reasonable precautions to protect the public.

The new report instead highlights confusion between the roles of different commanders on the day of the shooting - the day after the 21 July 2005 failed suicide bombing attempt in London - as well as serious communication failures.

And it make 15 separate recommendations to try to make sure the same mistakes do not happen again.

Mr de Menezes was shot dead by firearms officers at Stockwell Tube station after he was mistaken for a suicide bomber.

A jury at the Old Bailey ruled that the force broke health and safety laws when its officers shot him. Four officers still face possible disciplinary action over the incident.

The motion of no confidence was passed in Sir Ian by the London Assembly by 15 votes to eight.

Sir Ian repeated his apology for the fatal shooting prior to the assembly's vote, but insisted he would not resign.

See:

Met Chief Faces Vote Of No Confidence

(BMcC)