Met police boss: I may be forced to quit

timesonline: Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan police commissioner, has admitted he may soon be forced to resign over the shooting of an innocent Brazilian man on the London Underground.

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's comments, made to the Windsor Leadership Trust, indicate his recognition that the pressure on him is building to a critical point. At the time of the shooting he considered resigning but ruled it out.

Senior police officers say the inquiry into the operation will reveal a "horror story" when it is completed before Christmas.One senior insider said: "He (Blair) has obviously been damaged. His own self-confidence has been damaged." Read more