Tribute to Tube shooting victim

9:50pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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Family and friends of Jean Charles de Menezes have held a vigil to mark three years since he was shot dead by police in the aftermath of the July 7 London bombings.

At 10.03am, the exact time of the fatal shooting in 2005, a minute's silence was held at Stockwell Tube station in London where the incident took place.

It was followed by short speeches by two of Mr de Menezes' cousins, who addressed a crowd of friends, relatives, campaigners and other well-wishers in front of the permanent shrine to the Brazilian electrician outside the station.

Cousin Alex Pereira said the family hoped to finally get justice for Mr de Menezes at his inquest, which is due to start in September.

"At the inquest we will be able to ask questions and find out the truth," he said. "(The police) have to explain why they lied and everyone will see that a crime was committed here. Whoever did this should be punished for it. We feel we have to come back and fight but sometimes it's difficult for us."

Friends and relatives, who arrived with a giant banner bearing a picture of Mr de Menezes, lit candles at the shrine and laid flowers.

London Mayor Boris Johnson had written to the family to express his condolences.

The vigil was to be followed by the unveiling of a large flag made of 1,096 flowers near the Houses of Parliament.

Mr de Menezes was shot dead by counter-terrorist police who mistook him for suicide bomber Hussain Osman. The Metropolitan Police was convicted on a general health and safety count at the Old Bailey last November.

Last week, a scrutiny panel from the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), revealed that progress on improving the force's surveillance procedures since the shooting had been too slow.

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