No disciplinary action over Menezes death

Updated 12.04 Fri Dec 21 2007

The police watchdog has announced that no officers will face disciplinary action over the fatal shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has revealed its decision despite demands from the innocent Brazilian's family for a delay until after the coroner's inquest.

The final four to learn their fate included Cressida Dick - who was recently promoted from Commander to Deputy Assistant Commissioner at Scotland Yard

Eleven of the 15 officers investigated by the IPCC had already been told they are in the clear.

Menezes family solicitor Harriet Wistrich attacked the decision to clear the remaning four before the inquest.

She said: "Twice the IPCC have invited us to make representations as to the timing of a decision in relation to discipline.

"On both occasions we strongly urged the IPCC not to announce the decision prior to all the evidence being explored.

"It is disappointing that the IPCC have disregarded the serious objections raised and that this decision is made before the family's legal representatives have been given any disclosure of the evidence other than the IPCC report.

"We fear that if new evidence emerges at the inquest it may be harder to bring disciplinary decisions in the future as officers could argue abuse of process."

The final four to learn their fate included Cressida Dick - who was recently promoted from Commander to Deputy Assistant Commissioner at Scotland Yard.

Mr de Menezes was shot at Stockwell Tube on July 22, 2005 after police mistook him for a would-be suicide bomber.

Last month the the Metropolitan Police was heavily fined after being convicted of endangering the public during the botched surveillance operation.

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