De Menezes inquiry: Police chief says 'We did our best'

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Oct 3, 2007, 13:42 GMT

(L-R) Alessandro Pereira, cousin of Jean Charles de Menezes, cousin Vivian Figueiredo and family friend Erionaldo da Silva, arrive at the Old Bailey in London, 01 October 2007. They attended the first day of proceedings into a health and safety trial against the Metropolitan Poilce regarding the shooting of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell tube station on July 22nd 2005. EPA/STR/EPA

(M&C) - The commander of the police operation which shot and killed an innocent Brazilian at Stockwell Tube station has told a jury that "We did our best".

Jean Charles de Menezes was shot seven times in the head after officers mistook him for a suicide bomber, intent on blowing up a train. The incident happened on July 22 2005 just weeks after the terror attacks by suicide bombers on London's transport system killing 52 and injuring hundreds.

Prosecuters have alleged the shooting of Mr de Menezes occurred because of a "catastrophic" failure in planning by the Metropolitan police. The Met is on trial for health and safety breaches it allegedly committed in the shooting of the 27-year-old Brazilian -- a charge it denies.

Commander John McDowell said to the court,  "I have since that time constantly thought about what other potential tactics or strategy might have been available to me because of the outcome of this tragic set of circumstances. I have done that on a weekly, if not daily, basis."

"I remain of the view that I and we did our best that morning to mitigate what was clearly a threat to the public in very difficult circumstances."

The trial at the Old Bailey continues.