Former Men Police commissioner Lord Ian Blair dies at the age of 72 

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. 

He was also in charge when, two weeks later, armed officers shot dead Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes, after mistaking him for a terror suspect. 

Lord Blair's death was announced tonight by the University of Oxford's Christ Church College, where he studied English. 

The college said in a social media post: '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, an alumnus and Honorary Student (fellow) of Christ Church, served as the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police from 2005 to 2008.'

Born in Chester, Lord Blair joined the Met in 1974 as part of its graduate entry scheme.

He began his career as a Constable in central London and after ten years on the beat, he quickly rose up the ranks. 

Lord Blair became a Detective Chief Inspector in 1985 and responded to the devastating Kings Cross Fire which killed 31 people.

He then moved to Thames Valley Police for a role as the force's Assistant Chief Constable, before returning to London in 2000. 

Lord Blair was appointed commissioner of The Met in February 2005, just months before London was targeted by four suicide bombers.

Fifty two people died in the horrific attacks - which unfolded 20 years ago this week across the London transport network. 

Two weeks later, firearms officers shot dead Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell Underground station, after mistaking him for a terror suspect.

While Lord Blair was cleared of any personal wrongdoing, he faced backlash about the shooting for the remainder of his time as commissioner. 

The Met Police was ultimately found to have breached health and safety laws over the incident at Stockwell Station in south London. 

In his 2008 letter of resignation from the Met, Lord Blair said: 'It has been the proudest task of my life to lead the men and women of the Metropolitan Police.

'It is the duty of the commissioner to lead the Met through good times and bad: To accept the burdens and pressures of office and, above all, to be a steward of the service he commands.'

Lord Blair was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 1999 before being knighted in 2003. He was appointed to the House of Lords in 2010.

He married Felicity White in 1980, and the couple had a son and a daughter.

London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said: 'Lord Ian Blair dedicated over 30 years to public service as a police officer - rising through the ranks from a graduate recruit to becoming Commissioner of the Met.

'My thoughts are with his loved ones.'