The tragedy of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian national who was shot dead by British police, continues to haunt security officials, reports Ahmed Reda from London Following a featured report aired on ITV News which showed that Jean Charles de Menezes was behaving normally before being shot five times in Stockwell Tube station on 22 July by a plain-clothes officer, the probe into the killing of de Menezes is widening. The footage, acquired by an insider, has further fuelled diplomatic fury and has prompted Brazil to demand a full investigation. Brazil is also sending a team of its own specialists to take part in the ongoing investigation. The ITV news feature apparently contradicted an earlier report made by the Metropolitan Police Headquarters that emphasised that De Menezes was acting suspiciously and was followed to the station after walking out of a house that was under surveillance. The police statements hinted that the Brazilian national was carrying something under his jacket but the CCTV footage aired by ITV showed that he was not carrying anything suspicious and that he was not in any way "the cornered rabbit" that had to be shot. Citing a leaked report on an investigation into the death, ITV said that De Menezes was dressed in a denim jacket and walked casually into Stockwell subway station, stopping to pick up a newspaper before riding the escalator and running to board his train. The investigative report cited closed circuit TV footage, ITV News said. The television station also stressed that witness accounts included in the report said De Menezes was seated on the train before being shot. The saga caught the Metropolitan police chief, Sir Ian Blair, by surprise and matters worsened when the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) claimed that the police had refused an Independent enquiry by the commission. IPCC deputy chairman John Wadham told British media outlets: "The Metropolitan Police Service initially resisted us taking on the investigation but we overcame that." The claim prompted Sir Ian to deny any attempt to cover-up the investigation and he has refused to resign over the scandalous incident. He held numerous interviews and told The Daily Mirror : "There is no cover-up... I am not going to resign. I have a job to do." The speed of events and pressures facing British police since the London bombings are the same reasons that led the police to change the rules of engagement to "shoot to kill". In an interview with the London Evening Standard, Sir Ian also stressed that the specific details of the case, such as the reports that De Menezes was wearing a padded jacket and had jumped over ticket barriers, had neither been made nor confirmed by the Metropolitan Police. Sir Ian also admitted that he was not aware that his police officers had shot and killed an innocent man until 24 hours after the incident took place. Another embarrassing piece of information is that Scotland Yard offered 15,000 pounds sterling to De Menezes's family. The offer was made in a letter that was sent to the family and which carried the emblem of Scotland Yard. Some radio reports have suggested that the offer was an attempt to silence the family and avoid the IPCC enquiry that would prove to be even more embarrassing. The justification given for not letting the IPCC carry out its supposed job is that such an enquiry would jeopardise police operations and would divulge critical information at a time when the nation is fighting an open battle with terrorists. The Mirror claimed that Sir Ian had written to the Home Office after the shooting -- which occurred the day after the failed London bombings -- seeking precedence for terrorist investigations over any IPCC enquiry. The IPCC announced that it is launching a formal investigation and would determine the severity of police actions during the incident. Following recent revelations, a team of lawyers representing the family of the Brazilian victim held a meeting with IPCC officials and expressed satisfaction that the independent body would oversee an investigation. The investigation is set to take up to six months to complete amid a storm of anger coming from Brazil. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry issued a heavy-worded statement of condemnation which pointed out that "The most recent news, accompanied by images with a strong visual impact... heightens the sense of outrage of the Brazilian government". Brazil expects the officials to "obtain ample clarifications" about the killing, the ministry said. The Brazilian government is also sending officials to hold meetings with police and IPCC officials. Despite the grilling of Sir Ian Blair over the killing, he continues to enjoy the full backing of Home Secretary Charles Clarke. Clarke indicated his satisfaction with Blair and the performance of his forces during the hard times that London is presently facing. Clarke told British newspapers that the force had done "very well" in response to the London terror attacks. He also said the IPCC would conduct a proper investigation into De Menezes's death. But the backing of the British government is not likely to last for long, considering that each day that passes represents a major embarrassment for the Metropolitan police. Analysts believe that the chief of police will take the fall but that the reason behind the shooting is of much greater significance. Was the event an attempt to convince the public that London is still safe and that the police are vigilant enough to stop a bomber, even if, in this case, the victim did not have any bombs? Or was it a tragic mistake that will make heads roll in the Metropolitan police department? In either case, the ongoing scandal is representing quite a challenge for the British police.
