The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has concluded its investigation into complaints made by the family of Jean Charles de Menezes after he was shot dead by Metropolitan Police Service officers on 22 July 2005.
The family complained that the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, alone or with others, released inaccurate public statements concerning the circumstances of his death, concurred with inaccurate information, or failed to correct such information.
The officers subject to investigation were Sir Ian Blair, Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, and Assistant Commissioner Andrew Hayman.
A panel of three IPCC Commissioners oversaw the investigation.
In relation to statements made on 22 July, the complaint against the Commissioner is not substantiated and there is no evidence of misconduct. However the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) should consider why the Commissioner remained uninformed of key information emerging during 22 July 2005.
The investigation report finds that the matters relating to Assistant Commissioner Andrew Hayman are substantiated. It is recommended that the MPA consider what action they intend to take concerning the conduct issues identified in relation to AC Hayman.
The report concludes that AC Hayman's actions in relation to his briefing the Crime Reporters' Association (CRA), at about 4.30 p.m., and then misleading the attendees at the 5.00 p.m. management board meeting and sub-meeting led to inaccurate or misleading information being released by the Metropolitan Police.
AC Hayman either misled the public when he briefed the CRA that the deceased was not one of the four or when he allowed the 6.44 p.m. 22 July press release to state that it was not known if the deceased was one of the four. He could not have believed both inconsistent statements were true.
The investigation concluded that there were serious weaknesses by the Metropolitan Police in the handling of critical information including within the senior management team.
The recommendations contained in the report are as follows:
Recommendation 1
The investigation has identified serious weaknesses in the Metropolitan Police in relation to the handling of critical information including within the senior management team. The MPA should consider what management action is required to resolve this. In view of the serious nature of the failings, the Home Office and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) should also consider what action they need to take to address the issues raised.
Recommendation 2
The MPA recognises that the issues identified by Operation Erini are areas of concern within the MPS and that they are fully addressed and systems are implemented to prevent a re-occurrence.
Recommendation 3
The Commissioner sets out to his personal staff his expectations in relation to keeping him informed of events occurring within the MPS area.
Recommendation 4
The responsibility for keeping the Commissioner and other key staff informed of critical information is made clear to the MPS senior management team.
Recommendation 5
The MPS reviews the purpose of the Crime Reporters' Association briefings including the potential for the MPS to be compromised if they are briefed outside an agreed media strategy.
Recommendation 6
All strategic meetings convened to discuss critical incidents are appropriately minuted in order that decisions made can be later identified and justified.
A copy of the full investigation report can be downloaded from the Independent Police Complaints Commission website.