Menezes family's inquest protest

The coroner said a verdict of unlawful killing would be not be justified

Relatives of Jean Charles de Menezes have walked out of the inquest into his death in protest.

They removed their jackets to reveal T-shirts bearing the slogans "Unlawful killing verdict" and "Your legal right to decide".

Their action came just before the coroner, Sir Michael Wright, sent the jury out to consider its verdict.

Mr de Menezes was shot by police at London's Stockwell station after being mistaken for a failed 21 July bomber.

During his closing remarks, the coroner told the jury that the family's legal team, led by Michael Mansfield QC, were no longer in court.

He added: "No disrespect is meant by [the team's absence] to anyone."

The jurors have heard more than seven weeks of evidence.

Mr de Menezes, 27, was shot dead by the Metropolitan Police in July 2005.

Earlier, Sir Michael Wright told the jury that having heard all the evidence he was ruling that a verdict of unlawful killing would be not be justified.

The 11-strong jury can now return either an open or lawful killing verdict.

They have heard from 100 witnesses since the inquest began at the Oval Cricket Ground, in south London, in September.