The main police watchdog added to the pressure on Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, today when it said that he had tried to block an investigation into the shooting of the Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell Tube station two years ago.

The 168-page report from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) describes the events on July 22 2005, when Mr de Menezes was shot dead by two specialist firearms officers who had mistaken him for a suicide bomber.

It details how 15 Metropolitan Police officers have been interviewed under caution for offences ranging from murder, gross negligence manslaughter, misconduct in a public office and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

But the political importance of the report lies as much in its criticism of Sir Ian, who is facing widespread calls for his resignation after an Old Bailey jury found the force guilty last week of failing in its duty to protect the public under health and safety laws.

Expert View

Sir Ian will soldier on, but his every action will be scrutinised. Should he put a foot out of line, his critics will pounce and ministers will get nervous

Sean O'Neill

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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

• Commentary: Sir Ian Blair's worst week passes with an apology but no resignation

• The 16 errors made by de Menezes police

• Assembly calls on Met chief to resign

The report says that the IPCC was "prevented from starting an investigation on the instruction of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police".

"The rationale given by the Commissioner for this decision relating to the IPCC's powers and duties was not correct," it adds.

At a press conference, Nick Hardwick, the IPPC chairman, refused to back Sir Ian and appeared to go even further in his criticism of the Commissioner, implying that he was himself to blame for the problems he now faces.

He said: "The Commissioner attempted to prevent us carrying out an investigation. In my view, much of the avoidable difficultly the Stockwell incident has caused the Metropolitan Police arose from the delay in referral to us."

Responding to the report Sir Ian again refused to resign and said that he fully supported all his officers. Talking about his decision not to allow the IPCC to investigate straight away he said that he had made it clear he would not make the same decision again.

“I reiterate, however, that the decision was made with the best of motives that the rigorous investigation of this shooting needed to be fully co-ordinated with the needs of the counter terrorism investigation to track down the suicide bombers. As was demonstrated at Forest Gate, however, it is clear now that it remains possible for an Anti-terrorist operation to continue successfully alongside an IPCC investigation.”

The IPCC report, known as Stockwell 1, was completed 18 months ago but publication was delayed until the conclusion of all legal processes. In the end, the Crown Prosecution Service decided that no individuals should be prosecuted but decided to charge Sir Ian's office with the health and safety breach.

The report says that not one of the 17 passengers aboard the carriage where Mr de Menezes was killed recall hearing armed police identify themselves before they shot him at point blank range in the head.

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