Blair rejects calls for resignation after guilty verdict
The Liberal Democrats have called for Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair’s resignation, after a jury found the Met failed to protect the public in events culminating in the death of Jean Charles de Menezes.
Shadow home secretary David Davis said Sir Ian’s position was no longer tenable, saying he was the only individual that could be held responsible.
Home secretary Jacqui Smith has said she has full confidence in the Met.
Sir Ian insists the guilty verdict does not show any evidence of systematic failings in the Met and does not warrant his resignation.
The Old Bailey today found the Met Commissioners Office guilty of breaching health and safety laws when de Menezes was shot seven times at Stockwell Tube on July 22nd 2005.
The force has been fined £175,000 and ordered to pay £385,000 in costs.
Police chief Cressida Dick, who was leading the day’s operation, was protected from being found personally culpable. As the verdict was handed down today, the judge said the case was a corporate, not individual failure.
The trial took place under health and safety laws after prosecutors said no individual officers would be held responsible.
This means the Met has now been found guilty of failing to protect the health and safety of other commuters on July 22nd, who were allowed to travel alongside a suspected suicide bomber.
Mr Davis said it was inappropriate for events to have been scrutinised under health and safety legislation, concluding something had gone wrong with the process of accountability.
He 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.”
Mr Davis concluded: “His position is now untenable, in light of these findings and the overriding need to restore public confidence.”
Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg immediately called for Sir Ian’s resignation after the verdict.
Mr Clegg said: “This guilty verdict makes it unavoidable that Ian Blair should take responsibility on behalf of his whole organisation and resign.
“Whilst the ruling undoubtedly raises complex questions about future police operations, the simple priority today is to show that we have a police force in London which is prepared to accept full responsibility for its actions.”
The Metropolitan Police Authority is supporting Sir Ian, who says he has no intention to resign.
Speaking after the verdict, Sir Ian said we would not consider his position “after a single day in extraordinary circumstances”.
Mr de Menezes’ shooting was the culmination of events by many hands, all of whom were doing their best, the Met commissioner said.
Sir Ian had previously warned a guilty verdict would have “profound effects” for policing in London. He said the Met would now take the time to consider events and decide what action, if any, to take.
