Scotland Yard Fumbled Dangerously: Sir Ian Blair 's Competency is Questioned
August 21, 2005 Scotland Yard police must earn the British public's trust again. And the truth must be told.
Read here lead editorial in The Guardian UK
Those calling for the head of Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, over the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes on 22 July should wait until the full facts of the case are known.
If only Sir Ian had shown SIMILAR restraint.
His rush to go public with the misleading statement that the shooting was 'directly linked' to the ongoing anti-terrorist operation was ill-judged, as was his confirmation that suspicions had been aroused by the clothing and behaviour of de Menezes.
His comments this weekend, rejecting claims of a cover-up and urging people to see the deaths in the context of those who died in the 7 July bombings, suggest that he has much to learn about striking the correct balance between discretion and openness.
For whatever reason, lies and misinformation about the actions, demeanour and even character of Mr de Menezes were allowed to circulate.
Judgments were hasty, clarifications too slow.
Each police commissioner stamps his mark not only on the London force but on national policing.
What is at stake is more than one man's integrity:The killing by police of an innocent commuter goes to the heart of British democracy, which is why, notwithstanding the dreadful circumstances of the 7 July murders, every aspect of the Menezes killing must be minutely examined.
We should also be concerned that a specific shoot-to-kill policy, now under review, was not disclosed to the British people, not least for their own protection.
The police must always be accountable, and covertly changing operating rules because of active terrorism is a dangerous tack.
At such times, the police must be more measured, more responsible and more disciplined, not less so.
It is a matter of particular concern that the entire chain of command, from the platform of Stockwell Underground station to the office of Sir Ian, appears to have been in disarray.
We should be concerned, too, at the relationship between police and press. Tip-offs from the police to the media are nothing new.
But it is a major cause for concern if senior officers allow myths to circulate as fact.
It has rarely been more vital for the police of this country to have a figurehead trusted by officers and public alike.
Sir Ian will have to change his style radically if he is to regain public trust.
It would do no harm to admit the gravity of the events of 22 July, rather than using the inquiry as a smokescreen.
And, if the public is to trust the police, he must start to trust the public.
That means spelling out exactly what powers the police now have.
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