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Officer in Jean Charles de Menezes Inquest "Changed his Evidence"
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by Christina 123 | October 13, 2008 at 09:17 am
358 views | 7 Recommendations | 10 comments
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Officer in Jean Charles de Menezes Inquest "Changed his Evidence"
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The Police chief in charge of Menezes investigation in court
sourced by Christina 123
A SPECIAL Branch officer, whose name has been given only as "Owen", has today admitted that he changed his evidence. Officer Owen denies he did so because of pressure from his bosses, but because, "it gave a misleading impression."
Jean Charles de Menezes was shot seven times at close range in the temple after plain clothes policemen mistook him for a wanted terrorist three years ago, shortly after the 7/7 London tube and bus bombings. The shooting caused immense poltical controversy.
An investigation has begun after an officer admitted changing evidence during the inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes.
The Special Branch officer, named as Owen, said he deleted a line from computer notes which quoted Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission said it would investigate.
Brazilian Mr de Menezes, 27, was killed by police who mistook him for one of the failed 21 July 2005 bombers.
Owen, a surveillance officer, told the inquest the deleted line claimed Ms Dick had initially said the electrician could "run onto Tube as not carrying anything".
But on Monday he said: "On reflection, I looked at that and thought I cannot actually say that."
'False impression'
Owen said he had spoken about the amendments he made to his notes to a Metropolitan Police solicitor the day after he submitted his evidence, on 8 October this year.
He told the court he had removed the line because he believed it was "wrong and gave a totally false impression."
Asked at the inquest whether management had requested the changes be made, he replied: "No. I am sure of that, sir."
An Independent Police Complaints Commission spokesman confirmed it was launching an inquiry.
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Christina 123
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (10)
at 09:49 on October 13th, 2008
Christina 123, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 11:12 on October 13th, 2008
Thank you, Rhonda J!
at 10:10 on October 13th, 2008
Good stuff. Not wearing a heavy coat and not carrying anything. No effort to stop Mr de Menezes before he got on the tube. And didn't they say that he jumped over the barrier and rushed onto the train? But now in fact they let him get on! We all know how this investigation will end. They will get away with it, the same as they always do. A recommendation will be made to make some kind of improvement, a few people will say yes, "we will do that" . The lawyers will get paid and the show will continue.
at 10:10 on October 13th, 2008
Good stuff. Not wearing a heavy coat and not carrying anything. No effort to stop Mr de Menezes before he got on the tube. And didn't they say that he jumped over the barrier and rushed onto the train? But now in fact they let him get on! We all know how this investigation will end. They will get away with it, the same as they always do. A recommendation will be made to make some kind of improvement, a few people will say yes, "we will do that" . The lawyers will get paid and the show will continue.
at 11:14 on October 13th, 2008
Thanks, Sputnic! I wrote a spoof report on this at the time (A Health & Safety hearing was heard which coincided with the resignation of Sir "Ming" Menzies Campbell of the Lib Dems Oct 2007 (hence the headline pun):
'Special Bullet for Menzies_
Sorry, we'll write that headline again...
_Special Bullet for Menezes_
A witness giving evidence for the Metropolitan Police in a case being brought against them under the Health & Safety Act, denied the public were in any danger on the day Menezes was shot dead by a trained officer at Stockwell Station.
"These are special bullets designed for use only when absolutely necessary. One bullet is enough to totally incapacitate the target immediately and we only fire as a last resort," the court was told.
The witness revealed that Menezes was a member of the public boarding the tube train at Stockwell.
"He looked a bit dodgy. So we immediately shot him in the head, " said the police officer, "Er...Seven times, your Honour."'
at 11:46 on October 13th, 2008
If you dont laugh you cry I suppose but this case makes me pretty angry. How can the concept of living in the same building as a suspected criminal allude them? I used to live in a huge tower block and they seemed to treat us all the same as well
at 11:46 on October 13th, 2008
If you dont laugh you cry I suppose but this case makes me pretty angry. How can the concept of living in the same building as a suspected criminal allude them? I used to live in a huge tower block and they seemed to treat us all the same as well
at 22:24 on October 13th, 2008
Christina 123, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 22:25 on October 13th, 2008
The IPCC are also investigating the case of Stuart Lubbock, in questions raised by Stuart's father Terry Lubbock.
at 12:52 on October 16th, 2008
Thank you, Fairplay1! Please update us all on the Stuart Lubbock case. Is it still ongoing?