Blair 'desperately sorry' for shooting

Monday, 25 July 2005 12:00 AM

Prime minister Tony Blair has said he is "desperately sorry" for the shooting of a Brazilian man mistaken for a suicide bomber.

Mr Blair said he understood "entirely" the feelings of the family of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot by undercover police at Stockwell tube station on Friday.

But he added that it was important that the government continued to give the police "every support".

Mr Blair was speaking at a press conference with French prime minister Dominique de Villepin, following a meeting between the pair.

He said: "We are all desperately sorry for the death of an innocent young person. I understand entirely the feelings of the young man's family."

And he highlighted the fine line that they tread in trying to protect the public.

Police thought Mr De Menezes was a suicide bomber when he leapt the ticket barriers at Stockwell underground station and ran for a tube train after being challenged.

Mr Blair said: "Had the circumstance been different and they had failed to take that action, they would have been criticised the other way.

"As well as expressing our sorrow and deep sympathy for what has happened, it's important we provide the police with support."

The prime minister urged people to come forward with information about the attacks last week. "My message to anybody who may know of any information about those responsible for last Thursday's attack is to give that information to the police."

During their Downing Street talks, Mr Blair and Mr De Villepin agreed on a number of anti-terrorist measures, including that the UK and France would exchange information on terrorist suspects.

Mr Blair also reassured the public that ministers remained in touch with each other despite parliament closing for the summer recess and the end of last week.

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