This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7648664.stm

The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Met chief Blair 'set to resign' Met chief Blair 'set to resign'
(20 minutes later)
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair is on the point of resigning, the BBC understands.Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair is on the point of resigning, the BBC understands.
A "significant" statement is expected later on the future of Sir Ian, the UK's most senior officer since 2005.A "significant" statement is expected later on the future of Sir Ian, the UK's most senior officer since 2005.
It follows fresh newspaper reports on the use of public money to pay a close friend to advise him. Sir Ian has previously denied any wrongdoing.It follows fresh newspaper reports on the use of public money to pay a close friend to advise him. Sir Ian has previously denied any wrongdoing.
He has also faced criticism over the racism row involving the Met's most senior Asian officer Tarique Ghaffur.He has also faced criticism over the racism row involving the Met's most senior Asian officer Tarique Ghaffur.
There have been questions too about his handling of events surrounding the 2005 death of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot dead at Stockwell Underground station in south London after being mistaken for a suicide bomber.There have been questions too about his handling of events surrounding the 2005 death of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot dead at Stockwell Underground station in south London after being mistaken for a suicide bomber.
There has been no official confirmation on the resignation from either the Metropolitan Police, the police authority or the Home Office. There has been no official confirmation on the resignation from either the Metropolitan Police, the force's watchdog the Metropolitan Police Authority [MPA] or the Home Office.
London Mayor Boris Johnson, who has repeatedly avoided publicly backing Sir Ian, has called for the commissioner to be directly accountable to City Hall.
He took over as chairman of the MPA on Wednesday.
'No secret'
Sir Ian has been commissioner since February 2005.Sir Ian has been commissioner since February 2005.
Last month, he was forced to deny newspaper reports that he is to be ousted from Scotland Yard when his contract expires in 2010.Last month, he was forced to deny newspaper reports that he is to be ousted from Scotland Yard when his contract expires in 2010.
Metropolitan Police Authority [MPA] auditors are in the process of examining Scotland Yard contracts given to consultancy firm Impact Plus, run by his friend. MPA auditors are in the process of examining Scotland Yard contracts given to consultancy firm Impact Plus, run by his friend.
Sir Ian has said he had been "open and straightforward in informing both the MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] and the MPA about my relationship with someone who was subsequently awarded a contract with the MPS".Sir Ian has said he had been "open and straightforward in informing both the MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] and the MPA about my relationship with someone who was subsequently awarded a contract with the MPS".