Former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Ian Blair has died at the age of 72.
The senior officer led the London force between 2005 and 2008 – and was at the forefront of the response to the 7/7 Tube bombings that killed 52 people.
Lord Blair’s death was announced tonight by Christ Church College, University of Oxford, where he studied English.
A spokesman said: ‘The Christ Church community would like to extend its condolences to the family of Ian Blair, The Lord Blair of Boughton QPM, who has died at the age of 72.’
Lord Blair joined the Met in 1974 as part of its graduate entry scheme and he quickly rose up the ranks.
He was appointed commissioner of the force in February 2005 just months before London was targeted by four deadly suicide bombers.
Two weeks later, firearms officers shot dead Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell Underground station, after mistaking him for a terror suspect.
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