June 2005 Jean Charles de Menezes: The Met incorrectly identified the Brazilian electrician as a terror suspect who they allowed to walk from his home, catch a bus and board an underground train before shooting him dead.

January 2006 Not a black and white issue: Sir Ian Blair, the Met commissioner, attracts a storm of coverage when he accuses the media of institutional racism. Forced to apologise to the parents of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman after using the Soham murders in 2002 as an example of white victims of crime being given greater coverage.

March 2006 The secret's out: Emerges that Sir Ian Blair had recorded conversations, including a private discussion with Lord Goldsmith, the attorney general.

June 2006 No result: A heavy handed anti-terrorism raid in Forest Green results in one man being shot and another arrested but neither being charged with any crime. The Independent Police Complaints Commission tells the Met to apologise to the two families involved in the "terrifying experience".

August 2007 De Menezes again: Report into the Brazilian's death by the IPCC criticises Scotland Yard for failing to correct false information leaked to the press and accuses officers of inconsistencies.

June 2008 Discrimination: Tarique Ghaffur, Britain’s most senior Asian police officer, claims he is sidelined and victimised within the Met. Commander Shabir Hussain alleges he has been repeatedly rejected for promotion because white officers are favoured over black and Asian candidates.

October 2008 Chief quits: Sir Ian Blair forced to resign from the Met by Boris Johnson, Mayor of London.

November 2008 Constitutional crisis: The Met is castigated for the arrest of Damian Green, the Shadow Home Secretary. His home and offices are searched and he is interrogated for nine hours after allegedly accepting leaks from a junior Home Office civil servant.

December 2008 Final inquest: A jury examining the death of Mr de Menezes rejects the Met's account of the shooting and refuses to return a verdict of lawful killing.

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