Home Secretary backs Met chief

Updated 15.56 Sat Nov 03 2007

Keywords: Jean Charles de Menezes, Sir Ian Blair, Metropolitan Police

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has restated her support for beleaguered Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair amid a barrage of calls that he should be sacked over the Jean Charles de Menezes shooting.

Sir Ian's tenure in the role of the UK's most senior police officer remains in the balance after an Old Bailey jury found the force guilty of breaching health and safety laws.

If the IPCC findings cast further shadow on the conduct of the Met, then Sir Ian may find his position untenable

They found officers failed in their duty to protect the public in the operation that led to the shooting of Mr de Menezes on July 22, 2005.

The Metropolitan Police was fined £175,000 and ordered to pay £385,000 costs at the Old Bailey on Thursday.

A second probe into the shooting, by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), is set to be published in coming days.

And if the IPCC findings cast further shadow on the conduct of the Met, Sir Ian may find his position untenable.

Conservative and Lib Dem politicians are already leading calls for Sir Ian to step down and take responsibility for the failings of the Metropolitan Police.

And Labour MP Kate Hoey, whose Vauxhall constituency covers Stockwell Underground station, said Sir Ian should "go with honour".

But speaking to reporters in her Redditch constituency, Ms Smith said Sir Ian should not resign.

She said: "I have confidence in Sir Ian and the Metropolitan Police who, day in, day out, are facing the challenge of keeping British people safe from terrorism.

"I think that my job, and that of other responsible politicians, is to support those people who are risking their lives to keep this country safe from terrorism."