This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7067610.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Menezes police 'are accountable' Menezes police 'are accountable'
(about 3 hours later)
Jurors trying the Metropolitan Police over events leading to the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes have been told the police are not "above the law".Jurors trying the Metropolitan Police over events leading to the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes have been told the police are not "above the law".
Mr Justice Henriques told the Old Bailey jury officers were "accountable" and that the law applied to them "as it applies to any other employer".Mr Justice Henriques told the Old Bailey jury officers were "accountable" and that the law applied to them "as it applies to any other employer".
Mr de Menezes was shot at Stockwell Tube station after being mistaken for suicide bomber Hussain Osman.Mr de Menezes was shot at Stockwell Tube station after being mistaken for suicide bomber Hussain Osman.
The Metropolitan Police denies breaking health and safety laws on 22 July 2005.The Metropolitan Police denies breaking health and safety laws on 22 July 2005.
Summing up the case, Mr Justice Henriques told the jury they should not be concerned about the future effect of the prosecution when deciding on a verdict.Summing up the case, Mr Justice Henriques told the jury they should not be concerned about the future effect of the prosecution when deciding on a verdict.
There is no room here for any verdict based on sympathy either for the Menezes family or for the predicament of any police officer Mr Justice HenriquesThere is no room here for any verdict based on sympathy either for the Menezes family or for the predicament of any police officer Mr Justice Henriques
He went on: "To suggest that it is wrong to prosecute the police for an alleged offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act is to submit that the police are above the law.He went on: "To suggest that it is wrong to prosecute the police for an alleged offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act is to submit that the police are above the law.
"It applies to them as it applies to any other employer. They are accountable.""It applies to them as it applies to any other employer. They are accountable."
He also advised the jury to ignore feelings of sympathy towards the individuals involved.He also advised the jury to ignore feelings of sympathy towards the individuals involved.
"There is no room here for any verdict based on sympathy either for the Menezes family or for the predicament of any police officer."There is no room here for any verdict based on sympathy either for the Menezes family or for the predicament of any police officer.
"Calm and accurate analysis of the evidence and a verdict based on reason and logic is what is called for.""Calm and accurate analysis of the evidence and a verdict based on reason and logic is what is called for."
'Dark month''Dark month'
The judge went on to describe July 2005 as a "dark month" in the history of London.The judge went on to describe July 2005 as a "dark month" in the history of London.
He recalled the 7 July bombings, which claimed 52 lives, and the failed attacks two weeks later on 21 July.He recalled the 7 July bombings, which claimed 52 lives, and the failed attacks two weeks later on 21 July.
He told the jury how police were monitoring a block of flats in Tulse Hill, south London, which were linked to 21 July bomber Osman, a day after the attempted bombings when they followed Mr de Menezes on to two buses and then to Stockwell station.He told the jury how police were monitoring a block of flats in Tulse Hill, south London, which were linked to 21 July bomber Osman, a day after the attempted bombings when they followed Mr de Menezes on to two buses and then to Stockwell station.
The 27-year-old Brazilian was shot dead at 1005 BST.The 27-year-old Brazilian was shot dead at 1005 BST.
But Mr Justice Henriques told the jury it was not up to them to decide whether Mr de Menezes was unlawfully killed. This was a question for an inquest into this death, he said.But Mr Justice Henriques told the jury it was not up to them to decide whether Mr de Menezes was unlawfully killed. This was a question for an inquest into this death, he said.
But he explained that the prosecution's case was that the police carried out their operation leading up to Mr de Menezes death "so very badly" that the public were put at risk.But he explained that the prosecution's case was that the police carried out their operation leading up to Mr de Menezes death "so very badly" that the public were put at risk.
He said health and safety legislation was there to "protect the public, to protect life and limb, and in this case to guard against the danger of mass murder".He said health and safety legislation was there to "protect the public, to protect life and limb, and in this case to guard against the danger of mass murder".
Their job was to decide whether the police had fulfilled their duty under this legislation "to keep the public safe not only from actual danger but from potential danger", he said.Their job was to decide whether the police had fulfilled their duty under this legislation "to keep the public safe not only from actual danger but from potential danger", he said.
The trial continues. The trial was adjourned until Tuesday.