Officer denies "shoot to kill order"

The police officer in charge when Jean Charles de Menezes was shot, has faced questions in court over her competence.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick denied claims that she gave the order to shoot Mr de Menezes, who was mistakenly identified as a would-be suicide bomber.

Ms Dick was giving evidence at the trial of the Metropolitan Police, which is accused of a "catastrophic" series of failures leading up to the death of Mr de Menezes, who was shot seven times at Stockwell Tube station on July 22 2005.

She told the jury at the Old Bailey that she used the word "stop" and expected a "conventional armed challenge" - believing the officers following the 27-year-old Brazilian would prevent him from entering the Underground station.

The force mistook Mr de Menezes for terrorist suspect Hussain Osman, because the men lived in the same block of flats in Scotia Road, south London.

Ronald Thwaites the defence QC, asked Ms Dick: "Did you give any instruction that he would be shot?"

She replied: "No, I did not."

Mr Thwaites asked: "Did you give any Kratos codeword (a shoot-to-kill order) that would be necessary to fire?"

Ms Dick said: "I gave no Kratos codeword."

She added: "The death of Mr de Menezes is a terrible tragedy and one that I, and I think the whole of the Metropolitan Police, regret."

Earlier in the trial Clare Montgomery prosecuting QC, said it was important that police were not above the law and the jury should feel free to reach their verdict - even if it was guilty.

The case continues.

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