Sir Ian Blair's dramatic revelation last night that police officers had come close to using the new shoot-to-kill policy on seven separate occasions since July 7 appears to be part of an attempt to deflect criticism from the Metropolitan police.

But the admission risks creating greater fear in the London public about the likelihood of the controversial policy being used more widely. It also raises questions about the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian electrician whose death at Stockwell Tube station is now part of an official inquiry.