Probe on Menezes killing is shelved to protect Ian Blair

A key inquiry into the Met's handling of the Stockwell shooting has been shelved for political reasons.

The investigation examined Scotland Yard chief Sir Ian Blair's role following the police killing of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes.

The publication of the report in the run-up to the mayoral election could have led to renewed calls for Sir Ian to resign, and in turn damage Ken Livingstone, a key supporter of the commissioner.

Brian Paddick, the Lib-Dem candidate and former Scotland Yard officer, has said he would not allow Sir Ian a second five-year term as commissioner, while Tory contender Boris Johnson has also hinted that he does not fully back Sir Ian.

After interviewing more than 20 police officers and officials, the inquiry was due to deliver a report in February.

Today, however, the Metropolitan Police Authority admitted publication of the report had been delayed because of "political sensitivities" surrounding the mayoral and London Assembly elections.

A spokesman said the report into the 2005 shooting had still not been completed but had been held over because of the election "purdah". The spokesman added that there was the possibility of "people making political capital out of it".

But MPA insiders and senior sources said there had been " inexplicable" delays to the publication of what is expected to be a controversial review.

The report is believed to examine in detail why Sir Ian was not told that the wrong man had been shot until 24 hours after it happened.

The study was originally expected to have been finished in time for the February MPA meeting but was then delayed until last month'smeeting - well before politicians and civil servants are expected to go into purdah in advance of elections.

The decision to delay the report was condemned today by Tory members of the MPA and a Lib-Dem member of the review panel itself.

Richard Barnes, Tory leader on the London Assembly, said: "Clearly if this report is so politically sensitive, it must be damning of the Met. I find it appalling that this has not been published. We are a statutory body in our own right and we should continue as normal, never mind the election."

One of the review's panel members, Lib-Dem Dee Doocey, said: "I had expected that we would at least have a draft by now but we had an email in March saying it was delayed and we have not heard anything since. If this is the reason for the delay then I am astonished."

Mr de Menezes, 27, an electrician, was shot by CO19 officers at Stockwell Tube station on 22 July 2005 after he was mistaken for a suicide bomber following the previous day's failed terror attacks across London.

The MPA inquiry was announced last September by the authority's chairman and Labour London Assembly chief, Len Duvall, who also announced he would chair the review. It was intended to examine issues surrounding how the Met handled information following the shooting and why Sir Ian was kept in the dark.

An MPA spokesman said the decision to delay the report was made at "corporate level".