Hayman accused in IPCC Stockwell 2 investigation

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has concluded its investigation into complaints made by the family of Jean Charles de Menezes about the media handling by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in the aftermath of the shooting.

The Commissioner of the MPS, alone or with others, was accused of releasing inaccurate public statements concerning the circumstances Mr de Menezes’ death.

He was subject to investigation along with Assistant Commissioner Andrew Hayman.

“In relation to statements made on July 22, the complaint against the Commissioner is not substantiated and there is no evidence of misconduct,” said an IPCC statement.

“However the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) should consider why the Commissioner remained uninformed of key information emerging during July 22 2005,” the statement added.

The investigation report finds that the matters relating to Assistant Commissioner Andrew Hayman are substantiated.

“It is recommended that the MPA consider what action they intend to take concerning the conduct issues identified in relation to AC Hayman.”

The report concludes that AC Hayman’s actions in relation to his “briefing the Crime Reporters’ Association (CRA), at about 4.30pm, and then misleading the attendees at the 5pm management board meeting and sub-meeting, led to inaccurate or misleading information being released by the Metropolitan Police”.

The report added: “AC Hayman either misled the public when he briefed the CRA that the deceased was not one of the four or when he allowed a press release put out to the media on July 22, to state that it was not known if the deceased was one of the four. He could not have believed both inconsistent statements were true.”

There were “serious weaknesses” by the MPS in the handling of critical information including within the senior management team, the report found.

“The investigation has identified serious weaknesses in the Metropolitan Police in relation to the handling of critical information including within the senior management team. The MPA should consider what management action is required to resolve this. In view of the serious nature of the failings, the Home Office and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) should also consider what action they need to take to address the issues raised,” concluded the report.

The Brazilian Government expressed its dissatisfaction with the conclusions of the report.

It said it “makes clear the tragic succession of errors that culminated in the death of Jean Charles Menezes and yet does not attribute responsibility”.

Expressing its continuing concern regarding the case, the Brazilian Government’s said it “renews its support for the Menezes family and reiterates that it will continue to seek the establishment of individual responsibility, and to closely follow all further developments”.

A Metropolitan Police spokes­person said that the results of the investigation are “being considered”.

Meanwhile the MPA has referred the accusations against AC Hayman to its Professional Standards sub-committee to review whether disciplinary proceedings are appropriate. The committee are due to consider the report on September 6.

The spokesperson added: “The MPS accepts that there were errors in both internal and external communication for which we apologise. But the criticism made of the timing of when officers informed the Commissioner about the emerging identity of Mr de Menezes could be open to other interpretations.

“These are judgement issues as to when to pass on information around what is fact and what is speculation.

“Since the events of July 2005 our approach to information handling during operations and events on this scale has significantly changed.”

One of the IPCC’s recommendations is that the MPS Commissioner sets out to his personal staff his expectations in relation to keeping him informed of events occurring within the MPS area.

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