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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Open verdict at Menezes inquest | Open verdict at Menezes inquest |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The jury at the inquest into the mistaken shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes has returned an open verdict. | The jury at the inquest into the mistaken shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes has returned an open verdict. |
| Two officers shot Mr de Menezes seven times as he sat on a train at Stockwell Underground station, south London. They thought he was a suicide bomber. | Two officers shot Mr de Menezes seven times as he sat on a train at Stockwell Underground station, south London. They thought he was a suicide bomber. |
| A solicitor for the Menezes family said it was the best verdict they could hope for, given that unlawful killing was not on offer. | A solicitor for the Menezes family said it was the best verdict they could hope for, given that unlawful killing was not on offer. |
| The Metropolitan Police said his death had been a tragic mistake. | The Metropolitan Police said his death had been a tragic mistake. |
| The jury were given the choice of two possible verdicts, but chose to reject the option that Mr Menezes was killed lawfully by the police. | The jury were given the choice of two possible verdicts, but chose to reject the option that Mr Menezes was killed lawfully by the police. |
| Earlier in the inquest they were instructed not to return a verdict of unlawful killing. | Earlier in the inquest they were instructed not to return a verdict of unlawful killing. |
| The 10 jury members were asked 12 specific questions about whether or not a series of events on 22 July 2005 contributed to the 27-year-old's death. | The 10 jury members were asked 12 specific questions about whether or not a series of events on 22 July 2005 contributed to the 27-year-old's death. |
| After a week of deliberations, a majority of eight to two returned an open verdict and said they did not believe officers had shouted "armed police" before opening fire. | |
| A majority of the jury said that they did not believe officers had shouted "armed police" before opening fire Jury's verdict explained | A majority of the jury said that they did not believe officers had shouted "armed police" before opening fire Jury's verdict explained |
| They said they believed Mr de Menezes had stood up from his seat before being shot. However they did not believe he had moved towards the first officer to open fire. | They said they believed Mr de Menezes had stood up from his seat before being shot. However they did not believe he had moved towards the first officer to open fire. |
| They also rejected that Mr de Menezes' innocent behaviour had increased suspicions. | They also rejected that Mr de Menezes' innocent behaviour had increased suspicions. |
| Following the verdict, the Acting Met commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said Mr de Menezes' death had been a "most terrible mistake", which he "deeply regretted". | Following the verdict, the Acting Met commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said Mr de Menezes' death had been a "most terrible mistake", which he "deeply regretted". |
| "He was an innocent man and we must accept full responsibility for his death," he said. | "He was an innocent man and we must accept full responsibility for his death," he said. |
| He said the force now had to "learn from events to minimise the chances of this ever happening again". | He said the force now had to "learn from events to minimise the chances of this ever happening again". |
| Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said his death was "a profoundly shocking tragedy". | |
| "What we have learnt from the accounts of the tragic events that day reminds us all of the extremely demanding circumstances under which the police work to protect us from further terrorist attack," she added. | |
| Jean Charles de Menezes was shot dead on a Tube train | Jean Charles de Menezes was shot dead on a Tube train |
| Coroner Sir Michael Wright, who presided over the three-month-long inquest held at the Oval Cricket Ground in London, said the facts did not justify allowing the jury to consider an unlawful killing. | Coroner Sir Michael Wright, who presided over the three-month-long inquest held at the Oval Cricket Ground in London, said the facts did not justify allowing the jury to consider an unlawful killing. |
| Throughout the inquest, Metropolitan Police officers told the hearings they honestly believed the Brazilian was one of the four failed bombers who attempted to strike London on 21 July 2005. | Throughout the inquest, Metropolitan Police officers told the hearings they honestly believed the Brazilian was one of the four failed bombers who attempted to strike London on 21 July 2005. |
| But Mr de Menezes' family and supporters challenged this version of events. | But Mr de Menezes' family and supporters challenged this version of events. |
| They said they wanted answers to why surveillance officers could not identify the man they were following - and why two specialist officers shot the electrician at close range. | They said they wanted answers to why surveillance officers could not identify the man they were following - and why two specialist officers shot the electrician at close range. |
| Split-second decisions | Split-second decisions |
| Speaking after the verdict, Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said the verdict marked the end of "a long and traumatic inquiry" for the de Menezes family and the police officers involved. | Speaking after the verdict, Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said the verdict marked the end of "a long and traumatic inquiry" for the de Menezes family and the police officers involved. |
| He said a "huge responsibility" was placed on firearms officers who were expected to make split-second life and death decisions. | He said a "huge responsibility" was placed on firearms officers who were expected to make split-second life and death decisions. |
| "The officers involved in this incident believed their actions were proportionate and necessary from the information available to them at the time. | "The officers involved in this incident believed their actions were proportionate and necessary from the information available to them at the time. |
| "They put their lives at serious risk on behalf of the community they serve," he added. | "They put their lives at serious risk on behalf of the community they serve," he added. |
| He said it should be remembered there was an unprecedented level of threat at that time. | He said it should be remembered there was an unprecedented level of threat at that time. |
| "No-one has lost sight of the fact that a young man has lost his life, or that we need to ensure lessons are learned and safeguards put in place to protect police officers and the public they serve," he added. | "No-one has lost sight of the fact that a young man has lost his life, or that we need to ensure lessons are learned and safeguards put in place to protect police officers and the public they serve," he added. |
| Jenny Jones, a Green Party member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, called for a public inquiry. | |
| IPCC chairman Nick Hardwick described Mr de Menezes' death as "truly shocking". | IPCC chairman Nick Hardwick described Mr de Menezes' death as "truly shocking". |
| "We now know there was nothing in his actions which justified his fate. He had no opportunity to defend himself or protest his innocence." | "We now know there was nothing in his actions which justified his fate. He had no opportunity to defend himself or protest his innocence." |
| He added the inquest had highlighted once again that police needed to make operational changes. | He added the inquest had highlighted once again that police needed to make operational changes. |
| The coroner is to write to the Acting Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, the Home Secretary and the Metropolitan Police Authority to raise issues over police practices. | The coroner is to write to the Acting Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, the Home Secretary and the Metropolitan Police Authority to raise issues over police practices. |