http://tinyurl.com/35orhtThe British National Police, the best police that money can buy
(did you get that Max?), were
"found guilty of breaking health and safety laws over the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes."
Fortunately, Cressida Dick
was not found guilty, neither was she was on trial, for any of her killings.
Sir Ian Blair, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police
[former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police if you're reading this after Monday], faced calls to resign today after his force was found guilty of breaking health and safety laws over the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.
A jury at the Old Bailey decided police had unnecessarily put the public at risk following a string of errors in a "catastrophic" operation, which ended in the Brazilian's death on July 22, 2005.
In an unusual rider to the verdict, the jury cleared the officer in charge of the operation which led to the shooting, Cressida Dick, of personal responsibility.
But there were intense pressure on Sir Ian, the Scotland Yard chief who was in court to heard the verdict, to take the overall blame for the tragedy.
The Tory party and the Liberal Democrats immediately called for his resignation, claiming his position was now "untenable".
Sir Ian responded defiantly outside the Old Bailey this afternoon, saying that he intended "to continue to lead the Met" and that he was going to return to Scotland Yard to "get on with my job". He was also given the backing of Jacqui Smith, the home secretary.
The Met was
fined £175,000 and ordered to pay £385,000 costs, which will be met by the taxpayer.Mr Justice Henriques told the court: "This was very much an isolated breach brought about by quite extraordinary circumstances. One person died and many others were placed in potential danger."
The unprecedented, highly controversial trial came after the prosecutors said that no criminal charges should be brought against any individual officer for the death of Mr de Menezes.
In an unusual move, they were prosecuted instead on health and safety laws which claimed the public - including innocent Brazilian Mr de Menezes - had been put at risk.
The judge said that amongst the chain of events that led to the tragedy, there was a "serious failure in accurate communication" between surveillance teams on the ground, armed officers and commanders.
But he added that it was a "unique and difficult" police operation, hunting four suspected suicide bombers on the run who had tried to bomb the London transport system the day before.
Clare Montgomery QC, prosecuting, told the jury that Scotland Yard commanders had made a string of disastrous errors on 22 July that culminated in an unwarranted risk to the public.
She set out 19 alleged failings, beginning with the surveillance operation at the flats at Scotia Road, Tulse Hill, south London, linked to July 21 bomber Hussain Osman, who Mr de Menezes was mistaken for.
In response to the verdict Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem leadership hopeful and home affairs spokesman, said: "Policing needs to be seen to be accountable. The person at the top has to take responsibilty for the body as a whole.
"On the back of such an overwhelming verdict, Sir Ian's position is untenable."
Shadow Home Secretary, David Davis, said: "The trial has shed light on the serial failures that led to the tragic death of Mr De Menezes. They include failures of organisation, command and operations.
"The failures were systemic, falling within the clear responsibility of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. His position is now untenable, in light of these findings and the overriding need to restore public confidence."
http://tinyurl.com/35orht
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