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Menezes situation 'unprecedented' Menezes situation 'unprecedented'
(about 6 hours later)
A police chief in charge of firearms officers who shot Jean Charles de Menezes said he had not prepared for the pursuit of failed bomb attackers.A police chief in charge of firearms officers who shot Jean Charles de Menezes said he had not prepared for the pursuit of failed bomb attackers.
Ch Insp Vince Esposito told the Brazilian's inquest he had been dealing with "unprecedented" circumstances.Ch Insp Vince Esposito told the Brazilian's inquest he had been dealing with "unprecedented" circumstances.
The officer had helped develop Scotland Yard tactics for dealing with suicide bombers.The officer had helped develop Scotland Yard tactics for dealing with suicide bombers.
Mr de Menezes, 27, was killed by police who mistook him for one of the failed 21 July 2005 London bombers.Mr de Menezes, 27, was killed by police who mistook him for one of the failed 21 July 2005 London bombers.
Ch Insp told the inquest: "It was really quite unprecedented." Ch Insp Esposito told the inquest: "It was really quite unprecedented."
The officer, who has previously been identified under the codename Trojan 80, was working alongside Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick as an adviser on the day Mr de Menezes was killed.The officer, who has previously been identified under the codename Trojan 80, was working alongside Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick as an adviser on the day Mr de Menezes was killed.
The inquest heard how Ch Insp Esposito, who did not give evidence at the Metropolitan Police's health and safety trial, played a senior role in developing anti-terror firearm tactics after the 11 September attacks on New York in 2001. Michael Mansfield QC, barrister for the de Menezes family, asked Ch Insp Esposito if he thought "anything went wrong that day?"
For me as an advisor it boils down to one simple thing and that is the mis-identification Ch Insp Vince Esposito Ch Insp Esposito replied: "For me as an adviser it boils down to one simple thing and that is the mis-identification.
He said tactics were based on "information we had gleaned from around the world to be brought back to aid our own understanding". The moment he gets off the bus he is virtually dead Michael Mansfield QC
"It's as simple as that for me, sir, as the tactical adviser. It's a tragedy, sir, but for me it's as simple as that."
He said he believed "without a shadow of doubt" that Mr de Menezes was failed bomber Hussain Osman, after he got on and off the same bus in south London.
Mr Mansfield suggested to the witness: "The moment he gets off the bus he is virtually dead.
"You have identified him as a terrorist from the day before and therefore the level of risk is so high that he is never going to come out of the tube alive."
Ch Insp Esposito replied: "I wholeheartedly disagree, sir."
The inquest had earlier heard how the officer, who did not give evidence at the Metropolitan Police's health and safety trial, played a senior role in developing anti-terror firearm tactics after the 11 September attacks on New York in 2001.
'Critical shot'
Ch Insp Esposito told the hearing police tactics were based on "information we had gleaned from around the world to be brought back to aid our own understanding".
When asked if, under those tactics, a "critical shot" was only administered if a suspect was identified and was carrying a device, he replied: "That's correct, sir."When asked if, under those tactics, a "critical shot" was only administered if a suspect was identified and was carrying a device, he replied: "That's correct, sir."
Ch Insp Esposito then confirmed that officers were trained to avoid shooting potential suicide bombers in the body to ensure they did not set off any explosive device. Ch Insp Esposito confirmed that officers were trained to avoid shooting potential suicide bombers in the body to ensure they did not set off any explosive device.
He added: "That was information we gleaned from other countries that if a person is carrying a body-borne device then any rounds fired could detonate that device."He added: "That was information we gleaned from other countries that if a person is carrying a body-borne device then any rounds fired could detonate that device."
'Tragedy' Altered evidence
Michael Mansfield QC, barrister for the de Menezes family, asked Ch Insp Esposito if he thought "anything went wrong that day?"
Ch Insp Esposito replied: "It actually goes back to the 7th July when the bombings happened, then on to 21st July - the failed bombings - and all the events that happened on that day.
"For me as an adviser it boils down to one simple thing and that is the mis-identification. It's as simple as that for me, sir, as the tactical adviser. It's a tragedy, sir, but for me it's as simple as that."
Ch Insp Esposito gave evidence at the Oval cricket ground in south London as the Independent Police Complaints Commission continued its investigations into a surveillance officer who admitted tampering with evidence during the inquest.Ch Insp Esposito gave evidence at the Oval cricket ground in south London as the Independent Police Complaints Commission continued its investigations into a surveillance officer who admitted tampering with evidence during the inquest.
The Special Branch officer, named as Owen, removed a line from his notes claiming that Ms Dick said Mr de Menezes could "run on to Tube as not carrying anything".The Special Branch officer, named as Owen, removed a line from his notes claiming that Ms Dick said Mr de Menezes could "run on to Tube as not carrying anything".
Owen said he altered his version of events more than two weeks into the inquest because it was "misleading" and not "relevant".Owen said he altered his version of events more than two weeks into the inquest because it was "misleading" and not "relevant".
Mr de Menezes had been mistaken for bombing suspect Hussain Osman when he was killed by specialist firearms officers after boarding a train at Stockwell Tube station on 22 July 2005. Mr de Menezes was killed by specialist firearms officers after boarding a train at Stockwell Tube station on 22 July 2005.