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Met chief resists calls to resign Met chief resists calls to resign
(about 2 hours later)
Met police commissioner Sir Ian Blair has repeated his apology for the fatal shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes but insisted he will not resign.Met police commissioner Sir Ian Blair has repeated his apology for the fatal shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes but insisted he will not resign.
He said his force would not appeal against a jury's ruling that the force breached health and safety laws over the innocent Brazilian's death.He said his force would not appeal against a jury's ruling that the force breached health and safety laws over the innocent Brazilian's death.
Sir Ian was before the London Assembly, where he faces a confidence vote.Sir Ian was before the London Assembly, where he faces a confidence vote.
Conservative group leader Richard Barnes said there were "very grave questions" over Sir Ian's leadership.Conservative group leader Richard Barnes said there were "very grave questions" over Sir Ian's leadership.
'Split second''Split second'
Sir Ian told the assembly that he would have resigned if he had been guilty of "a series of failings." Sir Ian told the assembly that he would have resigned if he had been guilty of "a series of failings" .
However, he said it would be wrong for him to stand down on the basis of one operation going wrong when the Met had successfully countered a string of terrorist threats.However, he said it would be wrong for him to stand down on the basis of one operation going wrong when the Met had successfully countered a string of terrorist threats.
He added: "Every time I have spoken about this I have apologised for that death. He added: "There are three options here. There is resign now and walk away. There is cling on, and be pushed out.
"Our decision to contest that trial should not be seen as any rejection of accountability for the death. "Or there is the one that I am going to do, which is survive.
"Every time I have spoken about this I have apologised for that death.
"We've now had enough time to consider clearly what we should do about the verdict and we will not be appealing it.""We've now had enough time to consider clearly what we should do about the verdict and we will not be appealing it."
He acknowledged that he had made "widely-publicised" mistakes, but said that Londoners would judge him on falling crime figures and safer streets.He acknowledged that he had made "widely-publicised" mistakes, but said that Londoners would judge him on falling crime figures and safer streets.
In 2005, Mr de Menezes was shot dead by firearms officers on the London Underground after he was mistaken for a suicide bomber.In 2005, Mr de Menezes was shot dead by firearms officers on the London Underground after he was mistaken for a suicide bomber.
We have come to the conclusion that we have no confidence in Sir Ian Blair's stewardship of the Metropolitan Police Service Richard BarnesConservative group leader, GLAWe have come to the conclusion that we have no confidence in Sir Ian Blair's stewardship of the Metropolitan Police Service Richard BarnesConservative group leader, GLA
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is due to publish its report into the incident on Thursday.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is due to publish its report into the incident on Thursday.
Conservatives on the assembly want to use a meeting to stage a vote forcing its chairwoman to write to Ms Smith expressing a lack of confidence in Sir Ian.Conservatives on the assembly want to use a meeting to stage a vote forcing its chairwoman to write to Ms Smith expressing a lack of confidence in Sir Ian.
Mr Barnes said: "We have come to the conclusion that we have no confidence in Sir Ian Blair's stewardship of the Metropolitan Police service."Mr Barnes said: "We have come to the conclusion that we have no confidence in Sir Ian Blair's stewardship of the Metropolitan Police service."
The commissioner may also learn shortly whether he is to face another vote of confidence at an emergency meeting of his force's police authority.The commissioner may also learn shortly whether he is to face another vote of confidence at an emergency meeting of his force's police authority.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has written to her Tory shadow, criticising his call for Sir Ian's resignation. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has written to her Tory shadow, David Davis, criticising his call for Sir Ian's resignation.
Ms Smith accused her opposition counterpart David Davis of placing "opportunistic party politics" above national security. Ms Smith told reporters that politicians like herself and Mr Davis should rally round the police.
The shadow home secretary has urged Sir Ian to resign after the force's conviction in connection with the killing of Mr de Menezes.
Jacqui Smith has come out in defence of Sir Ian BlairJacqui Smith has come out in defence of Sir Ian Blair
"You and I will never face the challenge of making split second decisions in life and death policing operations," Ms Smith wrote in a letter to Mr Davis. "We'll never be faced with having to make split-second decisions in life-and-death policing operations, but we should think seriously and soberly about the impact that our comments and actions have on those who do have to do that," she said.
"We do, however, need to consider soberly and seriously the impact that our words and the strength of our support has on those who do. "I think as responsible politicians we should be getting behind those who are at the forefront of our fight against terrorism."
"I think that my job, and that of other responsible politicians, is to back those who risk their lives to protect the British people from that terrorist threat."
She said it was wrong to politicise the future of an independent police commissioner.She said it was wrong to politicise the future of an independent police commissioner.
Ms Smith added: "So it is I who am asking you, in the strongest terms, to reconsider your position on this matter and place the nation's security above opportunistic party politics."Ms Smith added: "So it is I who am asking you, in the strongest terms, to reconsider your position on this matter and place the nation's security above opportunistic party politics."
She said she retained "full confidence" in Sir Ian and the Met.She said she retained "full confidence" in Sir Ian and the Met.