Latest news with #Suspect:TheShootingofJean
Metro
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
'Russell Tovey plays me in Jean Charles de Menezes series– it was traumatising'
On July 22 2005, two weeks after the 7/7 bombings, Jean Charles de Menezes was fatally shot by police officers as he sat on a London underground tube train on his way to work. Today, 20 years later, Disney Plus has released a new drama called Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, starring Edison Alcaide as De Menezes. Ahead of its release, Metro brought together actor Russell Tovey and Brian Paddick, the real-life former senior police officer he plays in the series. Two decades ago the entirely innocent De Menezes was being tracked as part of an investigation into another terrorist cell that sought to emulate the 7/7 attacks, but ultimately failed as their explosives didn't fully detonate. However, in a bungled surveillance operation, the police misidentified the 27-year-old – who worked as an electrician – and shot him seven times in the head at point-blank range. At the time, the Metropolitan Police put out statements suggesting that De Menezes, a Brazilian national, leapt over ticket barriers at Stockwell station while wearing 'bulky' clothing that could have been concealing a bomb. It later emerged that none of this was true and that members of the public had mistaken police officers running into the station for De Menezes. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video However, despite a sustained campaign to uncover the truth, the police were only ever found guilty breaching health and safety laws and were fined £175,000 for putting a member of the public at risk. Paddick was a Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the time of the shooting, and was appalled by what he saw as the subsequent campaign by the Met to smear De Menezes' character. He said: 'It's like we were saying 'sorry we killed you, but it is your own fault'.' Paddick famously challenged Met commissioner Sir Ian Blair over how soon senior officers knew that the wrong man had been shot. When Blair refuted this, Paddick was reassigned to other duties and ultimately felt forced to retire from the police in 2007. Paddick shared how emotional it was for him to recently watch the four-part Disney Plus miniseries Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes. 'I sat down in a room on my own and I watched all four episodes back to back… I was traumatised,' he told Metro. 'But it was great to see the truth portrayed on screen, and it was fantastic to have Russell play me in this series.' He continued: 'What happened at the time was I got really angry and I got really angry for a long period of time, and that led to clinical depression.' While Paddick found it hard to watch, he said 'it's a credit to the way that the drama is done that it has that impact on you'. Paddick speculated about how the Met will respond to the series, stressing: 'There were a whole series of mistakes that occurred at the time of De Menezes' death.' But, he said he is unsure if the Met 'will admit that mistakes were made' as 'potentially, there was no one particular individual who is to be blamed'. 22 July 2005 Jean Charles de Menezes shot dead by police at Stockwell Tube station 17 July 2006 CPS says no officers will be prosecuted, but Met Police will be tried for breaching health and safety laws 1 November 2007 Met Police found guilty of breaching health and safety laws and fined 22 October 2008 Inquest under way – coroner rules out unlawful killing verdict a month later 12 December 2008 Inquest jury returns open verdict 16 November 2009 Met Police settles damages claim with family 10 June 2015 De Menezes family take legal challenge to European Court of Human Rights 30 March 2016 Family lose challenge over decision not to charge any police officer over the shooting In 2007, it was reported that the Met Police had been found guilty of breaching health and safety laws. In spite of the Met being fined, the then-Commissioner Sir Ian said that he would remain in his position, despite calls for his resignation. He eventually stepped down in 2008. In 2005, then-Prime Minister Tony Blair said in a statement: 'We are all desperately sorry for the death of an innocent person, and I understand entirely the feelings of the young man's family. But we also have to understand the police are doing their job in very, very difficult circumstances. 'Had the circumstances been different and had this turned out to be a terrorist, and they had failed to take that action, they would have been criticised the other way.' Both Paddick and Tovey sat down together to talk to Metro. Talking to Metro, Tovey, 43, emphasised how much of an 'honour' it was to portray Paddick, 67, in Suspect, having been aware of his pioneering work prior to being cast in the role. Paddick was the first senior police officer to come out as gay and made community relations a priority. As a borough commander he instructed his police officers not to arrest or charge people found with cannabis so they could focus on other crimes that were affecting residents' quality of life. After retiring from the police force in 2007, Paddick went on to become the Liberal Democrat candidate for London Mayor in 2008 and 2012, and was invited by current commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to become a non-executive advisor for the Met Police in 2023. Tovey, who is himself gay, said: 'I've been aware of Brian and his work for probably 20 years when I first started being invited to charity events like Stonewall and the Terrence Higgins Trust. 'I was slightly in awe of him and thought he was an astonishing presence at those events… and seeing what was happening in the press around that time as well, it was a good role model to have.' Paddick recalled to Tovey how he didn't come out formally in the police for 20 years, because he was 'afraid of the adverse impacts' doing so could have on his career. 'And then I reached a certain seniority as a commander… and now I could say the things that I honestly believed in a way that I felt I couldn't before,' he said. 'It was difficult because you had to put so much energy into trying to be somebody you weren't and to use gender neutral pronouns when describing a partner, and it's still difficult for gay police officers today. 'So we're nowhere near where we need to be in terms of a police service that is understanding and accepting of differences.' More Trending Enjoying spending time with Paddick, Tovey hopes that viewers take away 'how much of a hero Brian was and has been throughout his career', but also specifically with regard to this story. He said: 'Everything he worked for all his life and devoted himself to was under fire, but he still chose in that moment to uphold integrity and honesty and truth and what he believed the Met should be, so I hope that the audience are going to celebrate what a brilliant, honest man he's always been. 'I hope that this will hold many people accountable in the way that dramatising something has a unique way of doing.' View More » Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes is available to stream on Disney Plus. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: How innocent Jean Charles de Menezes was shot dead by police 20 years ago MORE: 'Lovely and peaceful' man stabbed to death after 'clash with neighbour' MORE: 'Anxious' mother issues plea to find daughter, 14, missing for nearly a week
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Max Beesley's life from Robbie Williams link and famous ex-girlfriends to alcoholism battle
Max Beesley is part of the star-studded cast in the gripping real-life Disney+ drama Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes with fans eager to know about the actor's life. Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes was released in full on Wednesday, 30th April, on Disney+, retelling the tragic events from 20 years ago. Actor Max Beesley is among the four-part drama's cast, portraying the former assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan Police, Andy Hayman who was leading the investigation into the 2005 London bombings. With Suspect now ready to watch, Disney+ subscribers are curious to know all there is about the show's stars, including the 54 year old actor. Inside Max Beesley's life Musical career Long before his days working in front of the cameras as an actor, Beesley focussed on his passion for music, acting as a chorister at Manchester Cathedral and studying at Chetham's School of Music. He then attended Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he met the likes of Ewan McGregor and Daniel Craig but still continued to pursue music as well as acting. During his stint as a musician, Beesley worked as a session musician and keyboardist, performing with Take That, George Michael, Jamiroquai and played the drums for Stevie Wonder. Robbie Williams link Among the famous faces that Beesley worked with as a musician was Robbie Williams, playing keyboard in Robbie Williams' live concert video at Knebworth. Max Beesley also performed with the former Take That singer during a 2005 Hyde Park, five days shy of the London bombings. Their friendship dates back to their teenage years, Beesley and Williams having built their bond since ages 14 and 11. Beesley also previously reminisced about moving in with Williams in Los Angeles in the early noughties, sharing with The Telegraph: "I bumped into Rob in a shop in a classic car sales room. "I moved in with him for a couple of years, and we went on the road, touring." Alcoholism Despite enjoying professional successes, alcoholism cast shadows on Beesley's life and it was only after the birth of his daughter that he stopped drinking. In an intimate reveal to The Telegraph, he expressed: "Alcoholism is an incredibly quick, progressive disease that if you've not got your eyes on it, you can get in trouble very quickly. "You know, it's Christmas, have a drink. It's a nice day, let's have a drink. It's a very serious drug I don't like anything controlling me." Famous ex-girlfriends Beesley was in a three-year rleationship with former Spice Girls star Melanie Brown which began while her marriage to dancer Jimmy Gulzar was coming to an end. Reflecting on the impact their romance had on his career, Beesley told the Evening Standard: "It made the front pages wherever we went. "It wasn't a particularly nice situation to be in and, as far as I could see, it had no benefits and plenty of disadvantages. "It damaged my career 100 percent. I was getting painted with the same celebrity brush as her, and nobody was paying any attention to my work, which was really unfortunate. Everything slowed right down." Beesley then had a string of relationships with other celebs like Dannii Minogue, Melanie Sykes, Jodie Marsh, and Mica Paris. He also had a four-year romance with 'Footballers' Wives' actress Susie Amy before meeting his dancer wife Jennifer, marrying in 2000 and later having daughter Sabrina. What's next His IMDb suggests he's gearing up to star in the new Jack Ryan film alongside John Krasinski and Wendell Pierce. Despite the action drama wrapping up on Prime Video after its fourth season aired in 2023, this untitled movie is now in the pre-production stages and slated for release on Prime Video. It boasts a stellar ensemble including the likes of Sienna Miller, Michael Kelly, Betty Gabriel, and Douglas Hodge.
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inside Jean Charles De Menezes' tragic death as Disney+ drama Suspect delves into what really happened
Disney+'s latest true drama, Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes, is set to delve into the tragic events surrounding the untimely death of Jean Charles De Menezes. The entire four-part series was released today, Wednesday, 30th April, on Disney+, inviting subscribers to explore the shocking events that unfolded two decades ago. With a star-studded cast including Russell Tovey, Max Beesley, Laura Aikman and Daniel Mays, and Edison Alcaide taking on the role of De Menezes, Suspect revisits a harrowing chapter in UK history that saw an innocent 27 year old Brazilian electrician lose his life. As the highly anticipated drama hits Disney+, here's a rundown of the real-life events that inspired the series. A closer look at what really happened to Jean Charles De Menezes The Build-Up On July 7, 2005, London was rocked by four suicide bombings, three of which targeted various Underground stations and a fourth detonated on a bus in Tavistock Square, claiming the lives of 52 people. Two weeks later, on July 21, the city faced another wave of attacks with bombs intended to explode at Shepherd's Bush, Warren Street and Oval underground stations, and on a bus in Haggerston. However, unlike the initial attacks, these bombs failed to fully detonate, with only explosions heard around 12.30pm on the targeted underground lines and the bus. Reports suggest that the detonator caps were triggered, but the bombs failed to explode, possibly due to the low-grade hydrogen peroxide used in their construction. Manhunt Tragically, the bombers managed to escape after the detonations were heard, including a fifth individual who abandoned his device earlier without setting it off. The manhunt to apprehend the offenders commenced, with former Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Ian Blair calling it the "greatest operational challenge ever faced". The initial lead on the attackers' identities came from a gym membership card discovered in one of the bags with the unexploded bomb. The card had an address in Scotia Road, Tulse Hill, which was in the same apartment complex where Menezes lived with two cousins. Menezes had recently returned from Brazil, where he had been caring for his father with cancer, sending money back to cover medical expenses. The Incident Surveillance operations started the day following the botched bombings, with Menezes spotted exiting the flats at 9.30am to attend to a fire alarm call. One of the surveillance officers thought he resembled a suspect captured on CCTV. However, the image of Menezes was delayed in reaching Met Police headquarters because the officer in charge of surveillance was reportedly taking a bathroom break. The delay resulted in Cressida Dick, who was leading the Met's task force for handling major incidents at the time, giving the order to tail Menezes. She also commanded that he be prevented from entering any London Underground stations. Menezes was shadowed by undercover officers as he boarded a bus to Brixton Station, then hopped on another bus to Stockwell. The officers found his movements suspicious, but the 27 year old altered his destination when he discovered Brixton Station was closed due to the attempted bombings. As they also informed those at Met's HQ that he possibly matched the description of the suspects, "code red" tactics were approved with Dick ordering that he be "detained as soon as possible". Menezes entered Stockwell Station around 10am, using his Oyster card to pass through the barrier and made his way to the platform. Unbeknownst to him, he was being trailed by undercover officers and newly arrived firearms officers who sprinted through the station before boarding the train, shouting "He's here!". It is believed that Menezes, bewildered by the unfolding events, stood up and was about to approach them when he was restrained. Two armed officers then fatally shot him 11 times, including seven shots to the head, which aligns with police guidance on dealing with terrorist bomb threats. Aftermath A day after the shooting, police identified Menezes, realising that he had no connection to the attempted bombings. The tragic death of a man at the hands of the Metropolitan Police has been mired in controversy and regret, as stated by the force. His family was reportedly offered nearly £585,000 in compensation but ultimately received only £100,000, with his remains being flown back to Brazil for burial just a week later. His cousin, Alex Alves Pereira, expressed his belief that "I believe my cousin's death was the result of police incompetence." He highlighted the discrepancies in police reports, including the baffling decision to let a "suspected suicide bomber" board a bus. A pathologist initially claimed the man had "vaulted over the ticket barriers" and ran, but CCTV footage disproved this account. Further doubts were cast when it was revealed that platform CCTV was not available, allegedly due to an un-replaced hard drive following the failed bombings. The case was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, but Sir Ian Blair restricted their access, stating, "the shooting that has just occurred at Stockwell is not to be referred to the IPCC and that they will be given no access to the scene at the present time." Following an inquest, it was determined that no single individual would face prosecution for the death. The family sought justice through the European Court of Human Rights in 2015, but their efforts were once again met with disappointment. Disney+'s Suspect marks the first drama to delve deep into the heart-wrenching events, with Menezes' family on board as consultants for the series. His mother, Maria De Menezes, confided in the BBC, saying she felt "reassured that the truth was being told".
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
TODAY'S TV WITH SARA WALLIS: Jean Charles de Menezes' tragic death explored 20 years on in new drama with Line of Duty star
The temperature may be rising outside as summer approaches, however the TV schedules are just as hot - with so much telly to choose from. Disney+ launches its brand new true crime drama Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes today, starring Line of Duty's Danny Mays and Gavin and Stacey's Russell Tovey. Written by Cilla's Jeff Pope, the series tells the story of the Brazilian electrician who was tragically killed by police aged just 27 back in 2005. Elsewhere, David Tennant hosts his first game show on ITV, while Amanda Holden hosts a number of cheaters at a luxury Mallorca retreat for her latest Netflix show. With so much to choose from, here are the top TV picks from Emma Bullimore - who is filling in for Sara Wallis. Pick of the day Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, Disney+ Since Mr Bates vs The Post Office reminded us of the power of good telly to spark big conversations, our screens have seen a slew of great dramas inspired by real-life injustices. The latest is this hotly anticipated four-part series about the killing of 27-year old Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot by police at Stockwell tube station in the aftermath of the 7 th July London underground bombings 20 years ago. Written by biopic maestro Jeff Pope (who penned Cilla and Mrs Biggs to name just two) and supported by the victim's family, it tells the story of an ordinary man who met his untimely death as a result of flawed intelligence and police mistakes. In the febrile atmosphere of the capital city, as London security services were reacting to both the fateful terror incident and an unsuccessful copycat attack, we see the police grappling with a manhunt that ended in tragedy, as de Menezes was misidentified as a suspect. The story continues beyond his death, to show how the Met reacted, and why so many people still think the victim jumped over a station barrier and ran away from the police, when in fact that did not happen at all. Instead, he tapped in with an Oyster card and walked calmly to the escalator. Featuring an all-star cast including Danny Mays, Russell Tovey and Emily Mortimer, the compelling drama offers a brutally accurate version of an event that is still shrouded in misinformation two decades after it happened. The Best of the Rest Genius Game, ITV, 9pm The Traitors meets The Crystal Maze, with a touch of Golden Balls, as David Tennant brings a fiendish new format to our evenings. To be a contestant on this show, you have to boast some kind of intellectual brilliance – either you're an academic, an entrepreneur or you're just very good at making other people trust you. The 11 contestants are thrown straight in at the deep end, with the first of a series of puzzles designed to test their brains and social skills. To succeed they will need to outwit their opponents, while also forming important allegiances, but at breakneck speed. Tonight, they will be staging heists at a vault to try to steal million-pound bars. But it's not just a race to get the most money – if they get their strategy wrong they could end up in the final death match and find themselves eliminated from the game. Cheat: Unfinished Business, Netflix This isn't the first dating show to put exes face to face. But Amanda Holden's glossy new series is all about the chance of a happy ending – she's reuniting cheaters with their former partners, hoping for rekindled romances rather than dramatic showdowns. Joined by love expert Paul C. Brunson, Amanda encourages the one-time couples to air their feelings, in a bid to work out whether there's any hope for them post-betrayal. Although their happiness was once wrecked by infidelity, Paul suggests that cheating might not be the ultimate dealbreaker, and that there might be grey areas for the spurned exes to discuss. The eight couples sharing their history at a luxury retreat in Mallorca include Love Islanders Rebecca Gormley and Biggs Chris, who met in 2020 but split just one year later. Will any of them walk out hand in hand, or will their hearts get broken all over again? EastEnders, BBC1, 7.30pm Nicola struggles to contain her fury as she and Teddy deal with a delicate situation. Things get worse when an intruder enters Harry's Barn. Avani is upset with Priya after her row with Callum. Suki encourages Priya to take responsibility for what happened, and to apologise. Meanwhile, Avani visits her dealer, but she can't afford to pay. Joel steps in to help. Johnny hopes he still has a chance with Felix after his bad date. But their movie afternoon is interrupted by gatecrashers. Emmerdale, ITV, 7.30pm Caleb is concerned when he realises the flight number Steph gave him doesn't exist. After logging onto her computer, he discovers her plastic surgery plans. Caleb and Ruby dash to the clinic, and arrive just in time. But Steph insists they can't change her mind. Sarah tells Vanessa she has started researching IVF to push ahead with having a baby. When Charity turns up, Sarah panics about what she might have overheard. Vanessa encourages Sarah to confide in Charity. Coronation Street, ITV, 8pm Knowing that Jenny has just transferred a big lump sum, Daisy is concerned to hear Christina talking to Dom in the back yard of the Rovers. Gary tells Maria he's considering selling the shop and buying the builder's yard instead. Maria insists it's a no-go, but Mick tells Gary to ignore Maria's concerns. Carla isn't impressed to be left at home with Betsy. It doesn't take her long to work out that Betsy's arm is actually fine, and Lisa returns to chaos.
Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jean Charles De Menezes' mum says 'everyone needs to watch' Disney+ drama about son's tragic death
Jean Charles De Menezes was tragically and wrongly killed by police shortly after the London bombings 20 years ago. WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes. The mother of Brazilian electrician, Jean Charles De Menezes, who was killed two decades ago, has openly talked about the Disney+ drama that explores the events before and after her son's death. On July 7, 2005, Jihadi suicide bombings killing 52 people in London , with another round of bombings thwarted just weeks later. In a frantic attempt to catch the culprits, police tragically misidentified Jean Charles De Menezes and shot him dead at Stockwell tube station. The Disney+ series, Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes, examines not just the events preceding the failed attacks but also the death of Menezes and how the police mishap was subsequently handled. As the true-to-life tale is set to premiere, Maria De Menezes, Jean's grieving mother, expressed her thoughts on the emotionally charged show which graphically depicts her son's fatal shooting. At the Suspect screening, Maria stated: "In my opinion, I think everyone should watch it." Reflecting upon the shattering moment she learned of her son's demise all those years ago, she conveyed: "I was not expecting that moment. It was terrible and then I started to shake. I sort of died then too." Writer and executive director Jeff Pope commented: "I genuinely believe from being in the room that day with her, they've been waiting 20 years for this. I honestly think that. It's just eaten away at them." He further expressed his belief that "lessons have already been learned" but stressed the necessity of such realisations back in 2005. "His [Menezes'] family needed that 20 years ago. There's such an appetite for audiences in the UK for this type of piece." Pope also reflected on the British audience's temperament, saying, "I just think we like to get angry. We don't like being told something that we know or sense doesn't seem right."
