Press release: Quilliam Foundation reaction to de Menezes inquest

Quilliam believes that the events surrounding the death of Jean Charles de Menezes raise serious questions about the professionalism and integrity of sections of the Metropolitan Police. In particular, the police's behaviour under testing circumstances and their subsequent attempts to cover up their mistakes and to suggest that de Menezes had acted threateningly towards them display a troubling lack of professionalism. The behaviour of the police before, during and after the killing of this innocent, unarmed man will also make it much harder for the police to gain the trust of British Muslims in the future.

Ed Husain, co-director of the Quilliam Foundation, said:

"The shooting of de Menezes and the police's subsequent attempt to cover up their mistakes have undoubtedly made many British Muslims less willing to trust the police and the security services. This tragic incident has played into the hands of those who wish to portray the British state as being anti-Muslim and gives credence to extremists who say that Muslims should not co-operate with the police.