Livingstone backs the Met on de Menezes

The 7 July bombers and those behind the attempted attacks on 21 July are primarily responsible for the tragic death of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian who was mistaken for a terrorist and shot dead on the London tube. That's the view expressed by the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone on the day that the Independent Police Complaints Commission ruled that Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Andy Hayman "misled" the public. The IPCC did not uphold a complaint against the Met's commissioner Sir Ian Blair.The IPCC Stockwell 2 report was in response to complaints brought by the de Menezes family about the way the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) provided information to the public after the shooting and didn't quash rumours that appeared in the media about de Menezes's behaviour at the time (eg suggestions that he acted suspiciously, tried to evade the police and jumped a ticket barrier at the Tube station).Livingstone said: “Jean Charles de Menezes's death was a tragedy. He was a further victim of the results of the bomb attacks on London on July 7 2005 and our thoughts and sympathies go out to Jean Charles de Menezes’ family at this very difficult time. We are aware that for them personally the loss is irreplaceable, whatever the wider circumstances."But it is important for all our future safety to remember the circumstances under which the Met Police were operating during those weeks. London had faced the worst terrorist attack in its history, followed just two weeks later by further attempted bombings. The professionalism and bravery of the police, in risking their lives to protect our capital, were second to none. All Londoners depended on their judgement and courage. These were exceptional times and, while lessons on improvements and communication of course can and should be made in future, the police had one overriding imperative – to protect Londoners. As one who has, on other occasions, raised issues in which police have acted incorrectly, I want to state clearly that in this case, I see no evidence other than that they were seeking to protect Londoners. This was in the most difficult circumstances, amidst strain, and with a responsibility for literally life or death issues that the public can scarcely imagine. Jean Charles de Menezes’ death was a tragedy that flowed from the terrorist attacks on London. Those who launched the bombs on July 7 and those behind the attempted attacks on July 21 bear the prime responsibility for his death."Livingstone said that a vicious campaign was launched in sections of the media against Sir Ian Blair at the time but the Mayor was "absolutely confident" that the commissioner would be exonerated by the IPCC. He said he gave Blair his "full support".MPA chair Len Duvall said the report did not make comfortable reading for the MPA, adding that recommendations from Stockwell 1 and 2 have now been implemented.He said: "Londoners must be able to trust what their police service tells them, especially in circumstances where they are being asked to be vigilant and maintain high levels of awareness. Trust in this information is absolutely paramount and in many circumstances can be a vital message of reassurance. The authority will continue to work to ensure that the MPS's internal methods of working and communications are efficient and effective."Duvall added: "The IPCC report also requires the MPA to consider the specific actions of assistant commissioner Hayman and the MPA Professional Standards sub-committee will now consider whether the allegations should give rise to disciplinary action against him."