Menezes police ask for anonymity

More than 40 police officers have applied for anonymity when they give evidence at the inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes.

Among them are the two officers who shot the 27-year-old Brazilian electrician in July 2005.

A pre-inquest hearing adjourned without any decision on the application.

Coroner Sir Michael Wright QC warned the inquest might be delayed; 3,000 pages of evidence had already been submitted, he said at the hearing.

The application by 42 Metropolitan Police officers to remain anonymous was heard in secret at the hearing at Southwark Coroner's Court.

Court cleared

Among those seeking anonymity are the surveillance, firearms and control room officers on duty when Mr de Menezes was shot dead by police at Stockwell station on July 22, 2005.

The move is being resisted by his family and media organisations, including the BBC.

In a brief statement before the hearing went into secret session, Sir Michael said that thousands of pages of statements, exhibits and other documents have already been given to parties involved in the inquiry.

He warned that the sheer volume of evidence available may prevent the inquest starting on its planned date of 22 September.

Bigger building

Sir Michael also said that, because of the huge interest in the case, another, bigger, building might be needed to cope with the large number of legal representatives, family members, press and members of the public.

Mr de Menezes was shot dead by counter-terrorist officers, at the height of a police search for would-be suicide bombers who attempted to set explosive devices off on a London bus and on underground trains.

The Metropolitan Police was later fined £175,000 over the shooting of Mr de Menezes, after it was convicted under the Health and Safety Act of "endangering the public".

An Independent Police Complaints Commission report into the case blamed the shooting on poor communication and blunders within Scotland Yard.

The de Menezes family are understood to be unhappy that no individual officer has ever been held responsible for the death, and are hoping that the inquest will shed fresh light on the case.