14/10/2008

Menezes Officer Admits 'Changing Evidence'

An investigation has been launched after a senior police officer has admitted to changing evidence during the inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes.

The plans for the probe was announced yesterday by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Jean Charles de Menezes - a 27-year-old Brazilian national - was shot dead at Stockwell tube station on the London Underground by police marksmen, after he was mistakenly identified as one of failed July 21 bombers, Hussain Osman.

The Special Branch officer, named only as Owen, said he deleted a line from computer notes which quoted Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick - the officer in charge of operations when the 27-year-old electrician was shot.

Speaking at the inquest yesterday, the surveillance officer said the deleted line claimed Ms Dick had initially said Mr de Menezes could "run onto Tube as if not carrying anything".

He then explained his actions, saying: "On reflection, I looked at that and thought I cannot actually say that."

An IPCC spokesman said: "This matter will be subject to an independent investigation and we are not in a position to comment further at this stage."

(JM)

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