De Menezes shooting 'could happen again'

ANOTHER innocent person could be shot dead by police in the future, the senior officer who led the operation that ended in Jean Charles de Menezes's death told his inquest yesterday.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick said that police set out to reduce the risk to the public.

But she admitted this could be done to only a "less than perfect extent" when terrorists were on the run, making possible a repeat of the events that culminated in the death of the Brazilian electrician.

Ms Dick was accused of giving "reckless" orders as events allegedly spiralled out of her control, leading to Mr de Menezes being shot. But she rejected suggestions that she was "sprinting to catch up" on the day of his death, because the operation that she led had not been properly organised.

Ms Dick was in charge of the Scotland Yard control room overseeing the pursuit of the Brazilian by surveillance and firearms officers, who feared he was the failed suicide bomber Hussain Osman.

Ms Dick told the inquest yesterday that Mr de Menezes was the victim of "some terrible and extraordinary circumstances", and she said no officer did anything wrong.

The inquest continues.