The statement made by Sir Ian Blair after yesterday’s verdict: “The death of Jean Charles de Menezes was a tragedy. He was an innocent man. The Metropolitan Police Service has apologised to the family and friends of Mr de Menezes many times in the past. Once more, I express my deep regrets for his death.

“The MPS have been found guilty of a breach of health and safety legislation in relation to the death of Mr de Menezes. As far as we know, this is the first time that such legislation has been applied to fast-moving police operations where the public are in danger. In large part, it was concern over the implications of applying health and safety legislation to such an operation which led the Metropolitan Police to plead not guilty . . . “ . . . It is important to remember that no police officer set out that day to shoot an innocent man. I am certain that this death was the culmination of actions by many hands, all of whom were doing their best to handle the terrible threat facing London on that day: a race against time to find the failed suicide bombers of the day before.

“The judge noted that this was an isolated breach of law in quite extraordinary circumstances. Seven days later, they successfully arrested the failed bombers of July 21. The operation to secure those arrests involved many of the officers who were involved in the operation concerning Scotia Road.

“As the judge noted, the failures alleged were not sustained or repeated. This case thus provides no evidence at all of systematic failure by the Metropolitan Police Service and I therefore intend to continue to lead the Met in its increasingly successful efforts to reduce crime and to deter and disrupt terrorist activities in London and elsewhere in the UK.

Factfile: revelations from the de Menezes trial

Information about the police killing of Jean Charles de Menezes, on July 22, 2005, that has emerged during the trial

Multimedia

• Pictures: Jean Charles de Menezes

BACKGROUND

• Ian Blair survives no confidence vote

• Timeline: how de Menezes identity emerged

• Come quietly, Sir Ian – you’re banged to rights

• ‘It is my task to ensure that lessons are learnt’

Related Internet Links

• Download full report

Related Links

• De Menezes police refuse to recognise mistakes

• Will Sir Ian take the blame?

• Family furious at defence 'smear campaign'

Multimedia

• Pictures: the de Menezes case

“At the same time, it will be my personal task to ensure that the lessons learnt from the death of Mr de Menezes are incorporated into our training, our policy and our operations.”

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