Met chief: 'I'm getting on with my job'

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has refused to resign in the wake of the Jean Charles de Menezes verdict.

Sir Ian expressed his "deep regret" for the "tragedy" of the innocent Brazilian's death

But insisted it was an "isolated breach" under "extraordinary circumstances" and gave his backing for all officers involved in counter-terrorism.

Sir Ian said he would now consider whether the Met's operational procedures needed to be altered in the light of the verdict.

Speaking outside the Old Bailey, he said: "As the judge noted, the failures alleged were not sustained or repeated.

"This case thus provides no evidence at all of systematic failure by the Metropolitan Police.

"And I therefore intend to continue to lead the Met in its increasingly successful efforts to reduce crime and deter and disrupt terrorist activities in London and elsewhere in the United Kingdom."

Sir Ian added: "I am going to go back to New Scotland Yard to get on with my job."

He indicated that he would have "considered his position" if the court case had revealed "systemic failings" in the Metropolitan Police Service.

"I am not going to consider my position about the events, as the judge described, of a single day in extraordinary circumstances," he said.

The Commissioner said it was thought to be the first time health and safety legislation had been applied to such a "fast-moving police operation" where the public were in danger.

"In large part it was concern over the implications of applying health and safety legislation to such an operation which led the Metropolitan Police to plead not guilty," he said.

Sir Ian cited the trial judge's comments that a number of police officers involved in the case had behaved "with exemplary bravery".

He explicitly gave his backing to Cressida Dick, the officer in charge of the operation which led to the shooting.

He said: "I also want to express my support for all officers involved in counter-terrorist work across the UK, including Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick, about whom the jury have specifically asked that it be noted that no culpability attaches to her as a result of their verdict."

The Met was facing its "greatest operational challenge in a generation" on the day Mr de Menezes was killed, Sir Ian said.

"It is important to remember that no police officer set out on that day to shoot an innocent man," he said.

"I am certain that this death was the culmination of actions by many hands, all of whom were doing their best to handle the terrible threat facing London on that day, a race against time to find the failed suicide bombers of the day before."

Apologising to the innocent Brazilian's family, Sir Ian said: "The death of Jean Charles de Menezes was a tragedy.

"He was an innocent man and the Metropolitan Police Service has apologised to the family and friends of Mr de Menezes many times in the past.

"Once more I express my deep regrets for his death."

The Met is "unlikely" to appeal against the verdict, Sir Ian indicated.

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