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Police guilty over Menezes case Police guilty over Menezes case
(30 minutes later)
London's Metropolitan police force has been found guilty of endangering the public over the shooting dead of a man officers mistook for a suicide bomber. London's Metropolitan police force has been found guilty of endangering the public over the fatal shooting of a man officers mistook for a suicide bomber.
The force broke health and safety laws when officers pursued Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes to a Tube station and shot him seven times, a jury found.The force broke health and safety laws when officers pursued Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes to a Tube station and shot him seven times, a jury found.
It was fined £175,000 with £385,000 costs over the 22 July 2005 shooting.It was fined £175,000 with £385,000 costs over the 22 July 2005 shooting.
The Old Bailey jury said police chief Cressida Dick, who led the operation, bore "no personal culpability".The Old Bailey jury said police chief Cressida Dick, who led the operation, bore "no personal culpability".
Ms Dick, now deputy assistant commissioner of the force, had been accused by prosecutors of failing to keep control of her officers.Ms Dick, now deputy assistant commissioner of the force, had been accused by prosecutors of failing to keep control of her officers.
Despite calls for his resignation, Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said outside court that he was not resigning.
Why did Jean Charles die? A step-by-step guide to killingWhy did Jean Charles die? A step-by-step guide to killing
The unprecedented, highly controversial trial came after prosecutors said that no individual officer could be held responsible for the electrician's death at Stockwell Underground station. Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said outside court that he was staying in his job - despite calls for his resignation.
Instead, they said the force, represented by the Met Commissioner's Office, should be tried for failing to protect the public from the risks posed by a suspected suicide bomber on the loose. Mr de Menezes's relatives said they wanted to see a "full and thorough" inquest into the electrician's death.
The Met vehemently denied the allegation during the trial, saying that there was no case for it to answer.
'Unstoppable force'
Speaking outside the Old Bailey, Mr de Menezes's relatives said they wanted to see a "full and thorough" inquest into his death.
Harriet Wistrich, the family's solicitor, said the police had been an "unstoppable force" when they pursued him, and the defence had "descended to the gutter" to blacken his name.Harriet Wistrich, the family's solicitor, said the police had been an "unstoppable force" when they pursued him, and the defence had "descended to the gutter" to blacken his name.
In a statement, Len Duvall, chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), said: "We ask the police to do a difficult job on our behalf and sometimes they make mistakes." 'Poorly briefed'
He said the MPA fully supported Sir Ian and would continue to work with him. During the trial, the jury heard that Scotland Yard commanders had made a string of errors on 22 July that culminated in an unwarranted risk to the public and ultimately the death of Mr de Menezes.
This was a serial failure of organisation, training, tactics and resourcing David DavisShadow Home Secretary Sir Ian Blair's statement
But the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have called for the commissioner to resign.
Nick Clegg, Lib Dem home affairs spokesman, said: "This guilty verdict makes it unavoidable that Ian Blair should take responsibility on behalf of his whole organisation and resign."
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said Sir Ian's position was "untenable".
"This was a serial failure of organisation, training, tactics and resourcing," he added.
HAVE YOUR SAY I hope that lessons have been learned. But I also hope that it will not deter armed police making judgement calls to protect the majority S Whistler, Chelmsford Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I hope that lessons have been learned. But I also hope that it will not deter armed police making judgement calls to protect the majority S Whistler, Chelmsford Send us your comments
But Home Secretary Jacqui Smith dismissed the calls, insisting Sir Ian had her "full confidence" and support.
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said the guilty verdict made it more difficult for police to protect the capital against terrorism.
"Police officers must not fear that they will be second-guessed by those operating with all the benefit of hindsight and by legislation not designed for such situations," Mr Livingstone said.
Nick Hardwick, chairman of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, said he hoped that his organisation's report into the shooting would be published within days.
'Isolated breach'
During the trial, Clare Montgomery QC, prosecuting, told the jury that Scotland Yard commanders had made a string of errors on 22 July that culminated in an unwarranted risk to the public and ultimately the death of Mr de Menezes.
Sir Ian had warned before the trial began that a guilty verdict would have profound effects on policing.
Your views: Menezes verdict
He said officers would be left in a difficult position of not being able to use their judgement in emergency situations, out of fear of breaking the law.
After the verdict was delivered, Mr Justice Henriques said: "This was very much an isolated breach brought about by quite extraordinary circumstances.
"One person died and many others were placed in potential danger."
In deciding on a penalty, the judge said he was aware that a heavy fine would result in a loss to the public purse and a reduction in essential policing.
Failures
The operation began when detectives investigating the failed suicide bombings of the day before - 21 July - linked one of the suspects, Hussain Osman, to a block of flats in south London.The operation began when detectives investigating the failed suicide bombings of the day before - 21 July - linked one of the suspects, Hussain Osman, to a block of flats in south London.
Mr de Menezes also lived in the block, and when he left home at 0930 BST, surveillance officers were unsure if he was their target.Mr de Menezes also lived in the block, and when he left home at 0930 BST, surveillance officers were unsure if he was their target.
Mr Menezes was caught on CCTV as he was followed by two officers Clare Montgomery QC, prosecuting, said the situation had worsened because senior officers failed to keep to their own agreed plan, while firearms teams were both poorly briefed and in the wrong locations.
Ms Montgomery told the court the situation had worsened because senior officers failed to keep to their own agreed plan, while firearms teams were both poorly briefed and in the wrong locations.
This meant that it became impossible to effectively stop the suspected suicide bomber before he boarded a bus and headed for the Underground.This meant that it became impossible to effectively stop the suspected suicide bomber before he boarded a bus and headed for the Underground.
The Met denied this, saying its commanders and officers on the ground did all they could to apprehend the bombers and minimise the risks to the public.The Met denied this, saying its commanders and officers on the ground did all they could to apprehend the bombers and minimise the risks to the public.
'Isolated breach'
After the verdict was delivered, Mr Justice Henriques said: "This was very much an isolated breach brought about by quite extraordinary circumstances.
"One person died and many others were placed in potential danger."
Mr Menezes was caught on CCTV as he was followed by two officers
In deciding on a penalty, the judge said he was aware that a heavy fine would result in a loss to the public purse and a reduction in essential policing.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it hoped to publish its full report into the case within days, but "disciplinary issues" were still to be decided.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it hoped to publish its full report into the case within days, but "disciplinary issues" were still to be decided.
Chairman Nick Hardwick said the body appreciated the courage of some of the officers involved, but added: "However, the Met's mission is to make London safer. On this one occasion, they failed."Chairman Nick Hardwick said the body appreciated the courage of some of the officers involved, but added: "However, the Met's mission is to make London safer. On this one occasion, they failed."
The trial and investigation is estimated to have cost around £3.5 million in public money. This was a serial failure of organisation, training, tactics and resourcing David DavisShadow Home Secretary class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7073662.stm">Sir Ian Blair's statement
Len Duvall, chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, said the MPA fully supported Sir Ian and would continue to work with him.
"We ask the police to do a difficult job on our behalf and sometimes they make mistakes."
The Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have called for the commissioner to resign.
But Home Secretary Jacqui Smith dismissed the calls, insisting Sir Ian had her "full confidence" and support.
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said the guilty verdict made it more difficult for police to protect the capital against terrorism.