THE question of whether Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair should resign is not an easy one.

We understand the strength of feelings expressed by those who consider he bears the ultimate responsibility for the terrible chain of events which led to the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes.

We especially appreciate why Mr de Menezes's family and friends believe he should go.

This was a chilling and tragic event born out of appalling communication failures and human error, which led to the victim being mistaken for a suicide bomber.

But we must not forget that it was also born out of the intense pressure of the situation London had been placed in by the July 7 bombings and the attempted attacks on July 21.

No one should attempt to underestimate the enormity of the errors which were made and of their consequences. An innocent young man lost his life because he happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and lessons have to be learned from that.

Confidence in the Metropolitan Police has undeniably been damaged, but there is also no doubt that the bravery of its officers has, on other occasions, prevented further loss of life in the capital.

In the war on terror - for a war is what it is - police officers will face split second decisions which could save or cost lives.

We should recognise those difficulties when considering demands for Sir Ian to be forced out of his job.