The former police marksman charged with the murder of robbery suspect Azelle Rodney can be named for the first time, a court ruled yesterday.

Anthony Long, an ex-specialist firearms officer with the Metropolitan Police’s CO19 section, will stand trial on June 8 in a case expected to last around a month.

Previously referred to as E7, he can be named after reporting restrictions were lifted by Mr Justice Sweeney at the Old Bailey on Friday.

Mr Long, whose address was given as the Police Federation Headquarters in Leatherhead, Surrey, did not attend the hearing.

He is accused of unlawfully killing Mr Rodney in Edgware, north London, in April 2005.

Mr Rodney died after officers performed a “hard stop” on the car in which he was travelling with two other men, fearing that they were armed and on their way to rob Colombian drug dealers.

He was hit six times — once each in the arm and back, and four times in the head.

The Crown Prosecution Service initially said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute but announced in July that it planned to charge the officer after new evidence emerged from a public inquiry into Mr Rodney’s death.

Mr Long told the inquiry he opened fire after fearing the gang had a sub-machine gun in the car.

Following the fatal shooting three guns were found in the vehicle — a Colt .45 pistol, a Baikal pistol and a smaller gun described as looking like a key fob.

Inquiry head Sir Christopher Holland found that Mr Long had changed his story and that there was little or no justification for seven of the eight shots that he fired within two seconds.

Mr Rodney’s mother Susan Alexander welcomed the naming of the officer.

“I expected no less and would have been concerned if he was allowed to remain anonymous for no good reason in a system of open justice,” said Ms Alexander.

“I hope and trust Mr Long will get no special favours and that justice will be done and be seen to be done.”