Getting away with murder

[bemildred]

The IPCC's final report, released today, into the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes confirms that all police officers involved are to be cleared. The chief anti-terrorist officer, Andy Hayman, is "heavily criticised" for not telling his boss what really happened on July 22 2005. Sir Ian Blair, also cleared, apparently didn't know the true story until the next day, despite the pair having a briefing just hours after the shooting. This contradicts Sir Ian's denials that he was kept in the dark when he spoke on the Today programme in December 2005. But then this whole saga is riddled with contradictions, as the police have shamefully attempted to cover up what really happened and clear themselves of any blame.

We were misled to believe that De Menezes was wearing a bulky jacket containing explosives and that he leapt over the ticket barriers at Stockwell tube station, and ran down the escalators ignoring police calls to stop. In reality he couldn't have behaved more normally, even pausing to pick up a paper, before using his ticket to pass through the barriers.

Sir Ian said on the day: "As I understand the situation, the man was challenged and refused to obey police instructions" and a Scotland Yard statement added: "His clothing and his behaviour at the station added to their suspicions." Of course, it turned out Sir Ian's understanding was a complete and utter misunderstanding, and that the police's suspicions were just wrong. Attempts to exonerate themselves by pointing to the "unprecedented challenges" they faced with four suicide bombers on the loose, were not good enough.

For the uncovering of what really happened we have to thank Lana Vandenberghe, who paid the price for revealing the truth, as her leak formed the basis of an ITV News investigation into the shooting of De Menezes. She lost her job at the IPCC, was evicted by her landlady, arrested and treated harshly by the police. The harassment caused by the whole episode turned her into a recluse. She wasn't the only one. ITV News producer Neil Garrett and his girlfriend - the link between Vandenberghe and Garrett - were arrested.

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/david_mills/2007/08/getting_away_with_murder_1.html

[Demeter]

1. So, Is it 1984 Yet?