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Menezes police: 'We did our best' Menezes police: 'We did our best'
(40 minutes later)
The police commander who launched the surveillance operation which ended in the death of Jean Charles de Menezes has told a court: "We did our best."The police commander who launched the surveillance operation which ended in the death of Jean Charles de Menezes has told a court: "We did our best."
Commander John McDowell told an Old Bailey jury he thought constantly about what could have been done differently.Commander John McDowell told an Old Bailey jury he thought constantly about what could have been done differently.
His team was working under "difficult circumstances" on the day the innocent Brazilian was shot, Mr McDowell said.His team was working under "difficult circumstances" on the day the innocent Brazilian was shot, Mr McDowell said.
The Metropolitan Police denies breaking health and safety laws when it mistook Mr de Menezes for a suicide bomber.The Metropolitan Police denies breaking health and safety laws when it mistook Mr de Menezes for a suicide bomber.
Mr de Menezes, 27, was shot seven times by two firearms officers at Stockwell Tube station on 22 July 2005.Mr de Menezes, 27, was shot seven times by two firearms officers at Stockwell Tube station on 22 July 2005.
Four hoursFour hours
Mr McDowell was the "gold" commander who dispatched a surveillance team to Mr de Menezes' block of flats, believing failed 21 July suicide bomber Hussain Osman lived there.Mr McDowell was the "gold" commander who dispatched a surveillance team to Mr de Menezes' block of flats, believing failed 21 July suicide bomber Hussain Osman lived there.
The gold commander has overall responsibility for the strategy of a major operation. Below him are silver and bronze commanders who manage tactical and operational decisions respectively.The gold commander has overall responsibility for the strategy of a major operation. Below him are silver and bronze commanders who manage tactical and operational decisions respectively.
Mr McDowell told the trial on Wednesday: "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.Mr McDowell told the trial on Wednesday: "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 have done that on a weekly, if not daily, basis.
We never faced a suicide bomber or a manhunt of this significance in police history Det Ch Supt Timothy WhiteWe never faced a suicide bomber or a manhunt of this significance in police history Det Ch Supt Timothy White
"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.""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."
Clare Montgomery QC, prosecuting, asked why, despite Mr McDowell launching the operation at 4.55am, the firearms team was still not at the flats by the time Mr de Menezes left for work more than four hours later.Clare Montgomery QC, prosecuting, asked why, despite Mr McDowell launching the operation at 4.55am, the firearms team was still not at the flats by the time Mr de Menezes left for work more than four hours later.
If they had they been in place, the Brazilian could have been challenged before he had a chance to board the Tube, where officers were to stop him "at any cost", Ms Montgomery claimed.If they had they been in place, the Brazilian could have been challenged before he had a chance to board the Tube, where officers were to stop him "at any cost", Ms Montgomery claimed.
Asked by Mr Justice Henriques if this four-hour delay was an "acceptable passage of time", Mr McDowell said it was the "quickest time that that team could be assembled and deployed with all the considerations that were bearing upon us that morning".Asked by Mr Justice Henriques if this four-hour delay was an "acceptable passage of time", Mr McDowell said it was the "quickest time that that team could be assembled and deployed with all the considerations that were bearing upon us that morning".
The judge then asked: "Could that have been done differently?"The judge then asked: "Could that have been done differently?"
Composite: Defence created image to show identification problems
Mr McDowell said: "With hindsight, it is entirely conceivable it could have been."Mr McDowell said: "With hindsight, it is entirely conceivable it could have been."
Unprecedented
Detective Chief Superintendent Timothy White, who gave authorisation the night before for firearms to be used to detain the suspected 21 July bombers, also gave evidence on Wednesday.Detective Chief Superintendent Timothy White, who gave authorisation the night before for firearms to be used to detain the suspected 21 July bombers, also gave evidence on Wednesday.
He told the court that the pursuit of the failed bombers was the most dangerous operation police had ever been involved in.He told the court that the pursuit of the failed bombers was the most dangerous operation police had ever been involved in.
"We never faced a suicide bomber or a manhunt of this significance in police history," Det Ch Supt White said."We never faced a suicide bomber or a manhunt of this significance in police history," Det Ch Supt White said.
He was asked by the judge if there were circumstances under which the suspects might not be immediately arrested.He was asked by the judge if there were circumstances under which the suspects might not be immediately arrested.
"With public safety paramount and the positive identification of a suicide bomber, we'd do our utmost to detain that person," he replied."With public safety paramount and the positive identification of a suicide bomber, we'd do our utmost to detain that person," he replied.