Met boss: I may be forced to quit

[muriel_volestrangler]

Britain’s top policeman told a private gathering of business leaders and officials last week that he might have to go “fairly soon” over the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes.

Describing the pressure he faced over the botched operation, he said: “Where does resignation end? Of course, it might end fairly soon.”

He added: “I’d much rather resign than be pushed.”
...
Blair disclosed at the meeting that his personal role in the affair was now being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Blair tried to block an immediate IPCC inquiry into the shooting at Stockwell Tube station.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1828055,00.html

I think he should go, for the attempted coverup, if nothing else. The actual shooting might be due to his rules, or incompetent actions by the police commanders and officers on the day, or just possibly a deliberate murder "to show them we mean business" (I wouldn't have thought so earlier, but the extent of the spin, lies and coverups by teh police now makes me a little suspicious). But Blair's attempt to stop the investigation (and his subsequent lies about it) mean he should go.

[non sociopath skin]

1. If trust in the Met is to be restored, it will need a clean slate.

Yes, he needs to go. And, yes, better he jumps than he gets pushed.

The Skin

[Benbow]

2. Resignation would not be because of the shooting of the Brazilian,

but rather, I think, because none of the bombers - 7 and 21 July - was on the "radar" at all. I heard Sir Ian Blair, with my own ears, say on Radio 4 that other countries envied our counter-terrorism success (or words to that effect); I remember thinking, "don't tempt Fate"; and it may have been later that very same day (or the following day) that the four suicide bombs went off.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. No, it's not his responsibility to know about bombers from Leeds

and Bucks, and it's pushing a bit to say he was personally responsible for not knowing about the 21st July bombers. If there were that kind of responsibility for outcomes taken, then Tony Blair, Jack Straw and Geoff Hoon would all have resigned when no WMD were found, and Iraq went tits up.

[non sociopath skin]

4. I agree. But the shoot-to-kill balls-up is definitely a resignation issue.

The Skin