RECENTLY, we have seen harrowing stories of the deaths of two children – Baby P in London and Alisha Allen here in the North-East.

Although both deaths were caused by parents, in each case MPs and government ministers have led calls for the sacking of those responsible for providing child protection through the safety-net of social services.

It is interesting to compare these cases with the equally appalling tragedy of the police shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.

As with Baby P and Alisha, an innocent person died through the failure of those employed to protect them. In many ways, however, the death of Mr de Menezes was more horrific.

He was actually killed by the very services whose duty of care was to protect him. Metropolitan Police Acting Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson says the police accept responsibility, yet there has been no call for anyone to be sacked.

Despite the admission, the Met appears to be able to get away without a word of criticism from government.

This is a national disgrace and if Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is not prepared to ensure that “heads roll” over this case, she should herself resign.

Anyone wishing to support Jean Charles’ family’s continuing fight for justice can visit justice4jean.org Tony Dowling, Secretary, Respect North-East.

GIVEN the edginess that inevitably existed in London in July 2005, which affected the police as much as anyone else, there was always the possibility of some utterly hideous mistake occurring.

That said, it is clear from your report of the Jean Charles de Menezes inquest verdict (Echo, Dec 13) – in contrast to the tone of your Comment column (Echo, also Dec 13) – that his death was inexcusable.

There were all sorts of failures and inadequacies in the surveillance operation, organisational and otherwise, but for which the tragedy would never have occurred.

You also have to wonder at the basic competence of the command team in mistaking Mr de Menezes for the terrorist Hussain Osman. They looked nothing like each other.

Whatever allowances may be made for incompetence, stupidity and ineptitude, there can be none for apparent collusion under oath. I hope the officers concerned face criminal charges for this reason alone.

Tony Kelly, Crook, Co Durham.

WHAT an indictment of the Metropolitan Police – the Jean Charles de Menezes inquest jury did not believe important parts of the police evidence.

Witnesses completely contradicted what the two police firearms officers said. I thought it was perjury to lie in a court of law.

I was pleased to read that the way is now open for the de Menezes family to bring a civil action against the force.

Let’s hope the learned judges have more courage than the coroner who should not have ruled out an unlawful killing verdict being returned – isn’t it the jury who should have been allowed to reach a verdict based on the evidence before them?

Hugh Pender, Darlington.