London’s legislative assembly has called on Metropolitan Police chief Sir Ian Blair to accept responsibility for endangering the public during the fatal shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes in 2005.
Adding a political flavour to the ongoing debate, Conservative and Liberal Democrat members voted in tandem to pass the motion, by 15 votes to eight. Labour members opposed censure, following an earlier backing from prime minister Gordon Brown.
Criticism of Blair has increased since a jury found the Met guilty of breaking health and safety laws last week and the department was fined £175,000 and ordered to pay £385,000.
The case concerned the police shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was mistaken for a suicide bomber.
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The UK’s largest police force is set to undergo further criticism later today when the Independent Police Complaints Commission publishes a report into the de Menezes shooting.
Despite increasing calls, Blair vowed to continue in his role. “I just want to get on with my job and that’s what I’m going to do,” he told the Assembly. “I have stated my position. If you have the power to remove me, go on.”
