NASPIR has issued the following statement:

"The Network of Activist Scholars of Politics and International Relations (NASPIR) wishes to join those calling for the resignation of Sir Ian Blair from his current post, in light of the recent verdict that the Metropolitan Police was guilty of breaching health and safety rules and failing in its duty to protect members of the public in the actions which culminated in the fatal shooting of the innocent Brazilian electrician John Charles de Menezes, at Stockwell tube station, London, on July 22, 2005.

Whilst the carelessness of the operation in which this innocent man was killed in the most horrific manner would alone warrant this step, we are also mindful of the Commissioner's misleading comments shortly after the shooting - comments whose effect was exacerbated by 'off the record' briefings to journalists about Mr de Menezes's immigration status, clothing and 'erratic' behaviour, which appear, in retrospect, as distasteful attempts to present the victim as partially to blame for his own killing (a strategy which, sadly, was again mobilised by the Met's defence lawyers during the trial).

We believe that a measure of public accountability must be upheld when events like this occur, and that it is right that the head of the organisation should take responsibility for the actions of his force. We hope this will help ensure that similar events can be avoided in the future."