The mother of a 24-year-old man shot dead in a police operation have called for the officer involved to be suspended from duty.

Azelle Rodney was shot at point-blank range in a car outside the Railway Tavern pub, in Hale Lane, on April 12, as police believed he was carrying a gun.

Mother Susan Alexander believes the case bears similarities to that of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was killed by armed police at Stockwell Tube station on July 22 after they suspected him of being a suicide bomber.

"I know Azelle, and I know he was no angel," said Mrs Alexander. "He hung around with some people that perhaps he shouldn't have.

"But I also know that he would never threaten someone with a gun. He would never have a gun in his hand.

"He was two weeks from having a baby. He was looking forward to starting a family."

Police had followed the silver Volkswagen Golf, in which Mr Rodney was a passenger, in a pre-planned operation because the trio inside were suspected of being on their way to commit a crime.

The two others in the car, Wesley Lovell, 26, and Frank Graham, 23, are both due to appear in court in September on charges of being in possession of a firearm.

"I believe he was just a passenger in that car," said Mrs Alexander. "The police should not have the right to do that. It's just so wrong. That's my son's life they took."

Mr Rodney died at the scene, and his daughter was born the day before his funeral. His aunt Jennie Alexander said: "Why couldn't they just arrest him? I don't think they can warrant what they did. Now there is a daughter with no father to look after her."

Susan Alexander has written to the Metropolitan Police asking that the officer who shot her son be suspended from duty.

But the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation into Mr Rodney's death is unlikely to be resolved until charges against Lovell and Graham have been heard.

"I can't allow myself to grieve, I haven't had time to grieve," said Susan."If I stop for a second I will break down or crumble."

An IPCC spokesperson said a thorough investigation was ongoing and would be resolved in due course.