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Police changed minds over Menezes Police changed minds over Menezes
(about 12 hours later)
Undercover police following Jean Charles de Menezes decided he was their suspect only minutes before he entered a tube station, his inquest has heard. Undercover police following Jean Charles de Menezes decided he was their suspect only minutes before he entered a Tube station, his inquest has heard.
Det Ch Insp Angela Scott said officers changed their minds twice about whether he was the man they were hunting after following him across south London.Det Ch Insp Angela Scott said officers changed their minds twice about whether he was the man they were hunting after following him across south London.
But Mr de Menezes, 27, was shot dead by police who mistook him for failed suicide bomber Hussain Osman.But Mr de Menezes, 27, was shot dead by police who mistook him for failed suicide bomber Hussain Osman.
Osman and three others tried to attack transport in London on 21 July 2005.Osman and three others tried to attack transport in London on 21 July 2005.
Police initially believed the Brazilian electrician was Osman after he left the block of flats linked to the failed suicide bomber.Police initially believed the Brazilian electrician was Osman after he left the block of flats linked to the failed suicide bomber.
Quiz plansQuiz plans
But Det Ch Insp Scott, who was based in the operations room at Scotland Yard that day, told the inquest that the undercover officers then ruled he was not the suspect.But Det Ch Insp Scott, who was based in the operations room at Scotland Yard that day, told the inquest that the undercover officers then ruled he was not the suspect.
Instead, a decision was made to stop and quiz him for information.Instead, a decision was made to stop and quiz him for information.
But just before Mr de Menezes arrived at Stockwell Tube Station, the surveillance team sent a message to their commanders that they believed he was Osman.But just before Mr de Menezes arrived at Stockwell Tube Station, the surveillance team sent a message to their commanders that they believed he was Osman.
Mr de Menezes, 27, was allowed to board a train before two specialist firearms officers shot him in the head at point blank range.Mr de Menezes, 27, was allowed to board a train before two specialist firearms officers shot him in the head at point blank range.
The inquest learned that Det Ch Insp Scott was appointed deputy to Det Supt Jon Boutcher, the senior investigating officer in the manhunt for those behind the July 21 2005 failed attacks on London.
'Energetic atmosphere''Energetic atmosphere'
The inquest learned that Det Ch Insp Scott was appointed deputy to Det Supt Jon Boutcher, the senior investigating officer in the manhunt for those behind the July 21 2005 failed attacks on London.
She was in the operations room the next day as the events that led to Mr de Menezes's death unfolded.She was in the operations room the next day as the events that led to Mr de Menezes's death unfolded.
Det Ch Insp Scott said the atmosphere in the room was "energetic" as the Brazilian emerged from the flats in Scotia Road in Tulse Hill, south London, at 9.34am.Det Ch Insp Scott said the atmosphere in the room was "energetic" as the Brazilian emerged from the flats in Scotia Road in Tulse Hill, south London, at 9.34am.
She said: "Initially the information from the surveillance officers was that it was a possible - possibly identical to one of the bombers.She said: "Initially the information from the surveillance officers was that it was a possible - possibly identical to one of the bombers.
"However, as the person continued, information came through that they did not believe it was one of the suspects."However, as the person continued, information came through that they did not believe it was one of the suspects.
"So it was at this point the decision was made, as we had had the individual under control, that there was an opportunity to intelligence gather.""So it was at this point the decision was made, as we had had the individual under control, that there was an opportunity to intelligence gather."
Mr de Menezes was followed after getting on a number two bus heading for Brixton and Stockwell. Mr de Menezes was followed after getting on a Number 2 bus heading for Brixton and Stockwell.
Sure about suspectSure about suspect
Anti-terror intelligence officer Det Sgt Piers Dingemans was tasked with stopping Mr de Menezes and question him. Anti-terror intelligence officer Det Sgt Piers Dingemans was tasked with stopping Mr de Menezes and questioning him.
Surveillance officers followed Mr de Menezes after he left his homeSurveillance officers followed Mr de Menezes after he left his home
The inquest was told that his unmarked car was right behind the bus as it passed up Stockwell Road when he was called off just before 10am.The inquest was told that his unmarked car was right behind the bus as it passed up Stockwell Road when he was called off just before 10am.
DCI Scott said: "That counter-order was given because a surveillance officer conducting the monitoring - Pat - then stated a surveillance team officer had said that in fact they did believe that it was one of the suspects."DCI Scott said: "That counter-order was given because a surveillance officer conducting the monitoring - Pat - then stated a surveillance team officer had said that in fact they did believe that it was one of the suspects."
She continued: "I recall that Pat said something like, 'They're saying that it's him'.She continued: "I recall that Pat said something like, 'They're saying that it's him'.
She said Det Supt Boutcher, who had spoken earlier to the inquest, asked Pat, for the surveillance team to provide a percentage figure of how sure they were. She said Det Supt Boutcher, who had spoken earlier to the inquest, asked Pat for the surveillance team to provide a percentage figure of how sure they were.
She said: "The response to that was, 'They're saying that it's him'."She said: "The response to that was, 'They're saying that it's him'."
Mr de Menezes got off the bus at Stockwell Underground station at around 10.03am. Mr de Menezes got off the bus at Stockwell Underground station at about 10.03am.
Det Ch Insp Scott recalled that Commander Cressida Dick gave firearms officers orders to "detain the subject prior to him entering the Tube".Det Ch Insp Scott recalled that Commander Cressida Dick gave firearms officers orders to "detain the subject prior to him entering the Tube".
She told the inquest earlier: "My understanding was that Commander Dick was in control of the operation within the operations room and was in fact the decision-maker in the room."She told the inquest earlier: "My understanding was that Commander Dick was in control of the operation within the operations room and was in fact the decision-maker in the room."
Three-pronged strategy
She said she then learnt that Mr de Menezes was already in the station and on the escalators.
The officers followed him underground and communication with them was lost.
The seventh day of the 12-week inquest also heard that the police were aware before the shooting that the block of flats under surveillance had a communal door which could be used by other residents.
A three-pronged plan was in place for whoever walked out.
Surveillance officers would watch them; firearms officers would stop any identified suspects, and intelligence officers would discreetly stop and quiz people who had not been positively identified as suspects.
Six people, including three women, left the building before Mr de Menezes but none of them were stopped and quizzed as had been outlined in the original plan.
The inquest is being held at London's Oval cricket ground and the jury will consider whether or not the Brazilian electrician was unlawfully killed.The inquest is being held at London's Oval cricket ground and the jury will consider whether or not the Brazilian electrician was unlawfully killed.
There have been five inquiries relating to the death and its aftermath, including a criminal trial.There have been five inquiries relating to the death and its aftermath, including a criminal trial.
In 2007, an Old Bailey jury found the Metropolitan Police guilty of breaching health and safety laws, after hearing about the events leading up to Mr de Menezes being shot.In 2007, an Old Bailey jury found the Metropolitan Police guilty of breaching health and safety laws, after hearing about the events leading up to Mr de Menezes being shot.
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.