E078:06 19 July 2006

CPS prosecution of the office of the Commissioner of Police: Statement from the Health and Safety Executive

Following an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Jean Charles de Menezes, the Crown Prosecution Office (CPS) has made it known that it intends to prosecute the Office of Commissioner of Police for an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Contrary to reports in some of the media, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) took no part in the investigation into Mr de Menezes's death. Accordingly the HSE is in no position to comment on these proceedings. The decision to prosecute for alleged health and safety offences was reached by the CPS and the case remains a matter entirely for its lawyers. The HSE does not expect to be involved in the conduct of those proceedings.

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