Sir, I reject the suggestions of chaos at Scotland Yard on July 22 last year contained in your article about a leaked IPCC report (Mar 17).

This was a very busy, difficult, stretching and fast-moving day as we faced what was probably the greatest operational test in the Met’s history. At least four failed suicide bombers were at large. Our response led to arrests within days.

The events of last July provided the Met with both unique challenges and unparalleled learning opportunities to which we have already responded. Despite all the interest shown in the leaked report, on which I will not comment, the great majority of our response to the events of July is already in the public domain, principally through a published report we presented to the Metropolitan Police Authority on February 23. This details the extensive reviews we have undertaken since last July and addresses many of the issues referred to in your article.

The UK faces an enormous threat from those who would commit further atrocities and combating that is not made any easier by continual speculation about reports that are not yet published, investigations that are not yet finished and the results of considerations by prosecutors which are not yet finalised.

SIR IAN BLAIR

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