Ian Blair, former Met police commissioner, dies aged 72

Sir Ian Blair, the former Metropolitan police commissioner, has died aged 72.

- Nadeem Badshah

Blair led Britain's biggest force for three years from February 2005 after succeeding Sir John Stevens, including during the 7/7 terror attacks in London that killed 52 people.

Blair was lauded for reforming the force but was criticised over the shooting of the Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes in July 2005 at Stockwell tube station in south London after officers had mistaken him for a terror suspect.

Christ Church, University of Oxford, where Blair studied English and later became an honorary student, confirmed his death yesterday.

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."

Born in Chester in 1953, Blair joined the Metropolitan police in 1974 as part of its graduate entry scheme.