Muddy the Waters 2 - Getting Murkier

It appears that the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) recently decided to hold a media briefing without the prior knowledge of the family of Jean Charles de Menezes or the Metropolitan Police. This has caused consternation, and has been condemned by various interested parties.

Mention has been made of the report being passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a decision to be made re the possibility of criminal charges being laid against the officers concerned. The IPCC did not confirm that the report would be passed to the CPS, merely that it might. They have also admitted that Sir Ian Blair has not been questioned, but would not state whether or not he has submitted a written response to them.

It seems astounding that the senior officer in overall charge of the Metropolitan Police Service has not been questioned. He may or may not have provided a written submission. Such submissions cannot be properly tested without questioning the author. This situation is interesting following the recent announcement I discussed in Muddy the Waters. Ian Blair seems to have been made subject of an investigation into much lesser allegations while not being drawn into the major enquiry surrounding the Stockwell shooting and the political ramifications of that.

The behaviour of the IPCC does little to inspire confidence. They have yet to decide whether their report will be passed to the CPS, although reports state that a senior CPS lawyer has been allocated. The admit that Blair has not been questioned, but refuse to state whether he has made any kind of statement. Despite their stated objective of keeping the family updated at all times, they held a high profile media briefing without telling them first. I await developments with baited breath...