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Row after top policeman resigns Mayor rejects Blair row criticism
(about 2 hours later)
A row is continuing over whether Met Police chief Sir Ian Blair was forced to resign by London's Tory mayor Boris Johnson for political motives. London mayor Boris Johnson has defended his role in the resignation of Met Police chief Sir Ian Blair.
Mr Johnson has insisted he "consulted widely" before asking Sir Ian to go. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had accused the Tory mayor of acting without authority by forcing Sir Ian out for political reasons.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had claimed the mayor had not gone through the correct channels. The Tories criticised her for continuing to back Sir Ian. Mr Johnson described the claim as "barking" and said he consulted widely before asking him to go.
Sir Ian announced his resignation on Thursday, blaming a lack of support from Mr Johnson. Sir Ian announced his resignation on Thursday, citing a lack of support from Mr Johnson.
He has faced controversies but said he was not going because of any failures.He has faced controversies but said he was not going because of any failures.
It has emerged that on his first day as the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority on Wednesday, Mr Johnson told Sir Ian the force needed fresh leadership.It has emerged that on his first day as the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority on Wednesday, Mr Johnson told Sir Ian the force needed fresh leadership.
The first Ms Smith knew about it was when Sir Ian told her on Thursday morning.The first Ms Smith knew about it was when Sir Ian told her on Thursday morning.
HOME SECRETARY'S LETTERS Jacqui Smith's letter to Sir Ian Blair [40KB]Jacqui Smith's letter to Mayor Boris Johnson [48KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here She reacted angrily to the way the resignation had been handled and suggested Mr Johnson did not understand the nature of the role of commissioner.HOME SECRETARY'S LETTERS Jacqui Smith's letter to Sir Ian Blair [40KB]Jacqui Smith's letter to Mayor Boris Johnson [48KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here She reacted angrily to the way the resignation had been handled and suggested Mr Johnson did not understand the nature of the role of commissioner.
But Mr Johnson described talk of a plot to oust Sir Ian as "completely barking". Conservatives have criticised Ms Smith for repeatedly backing Sir Ian but Mr Johnson described talk of a plot to oust the commissioner as "completely barking".
He said: "I came to this conclusion after a great deal of thought and after consulting many, many people.He said: "I came to this conclusion after a great deal of thought and after consulting many, many people.
"I felt it was an opportunity for someone else to give stability and new leadership and greater operational effectiveness to the Metropolitan Police.""I felt it was an opportunity for someone else to give stability and new leadership and greater operational effectiveness to the Metropolitan Police."
Mr Johnson thanked Sir Ian for having the "courage and dignity to step down" and said he could be proud of his record.Mr Johnson thanked Sir Ian for having the "courage and dignity to step down" and said he could be proud of his record.
Former home secretary David Blunkett told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme that the Conservatives had long wanted to "get rid" of Sir Ian. Ex-home secretary David Blunkett told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme that the Conservatives had long wanted to "get rid" of Sir Ian.
But he said being chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority did not give the mayor autonomy to force out the commissioner. FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeBut he said being chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority did not give the mayor autonomy to force out the commissioner. FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
"The authority weren't involved, the home secretary wasn't involved. There was only one man involved in making that decision and that was Boris Johnson," said Mr Blunkett."The authority weren't involved, the home secretary wasn't involved. There was only one man involved in making that decision and that was Boris Johnson," said Mr Blunkett.
The formal procedure for removing the commissioner of Britain's biggest police force is that the authority must seek the home secretary's approval.The formal procedure for removing the commissioner of Britain's biggest police force is that the authority must seek the home secretary's approval.
Ms Smith had told BBC's Question Time that party politics should be kept out of the matter. Ms Smith told BBC's Question Time that party politics should be kept out of the matter.
"The mayor said on the first day in his job he didn't feel he had confidence in Sir Ian and that's why he took the decision to resign," she added."The mayor said on the first day in his job he didn't feel he had confidence in Sir Ian and that's why he took the decision to resign," she added.
Ken Jones, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, has refused to rule himself out of the running to replace Sir Ian, who he said had a "distinguished" career record.Ken Jones, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, has refused to rule himself out of the running to replace Sir Ian, who he said had a "distinguished" career record.
However, Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said the resignation was "long overdue". However, Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said the resignation was "long overdue". APPOINTING A COMMISSIONER Shortlisting by Home Office officials and MPA chairCandidates interviewed by MPA panel, who give the home secretary their recommendationsHome secretary interviews candidates and asks mayor's viewsHome secretary must 'have regard' to mayor and MPA's views before making recommendation to the QueenJoint announcement by Home Office and MPA Source: Metropolitan Police Authority(based on the previous appointment)
Boris Johnson says a new start for policing in London is needed
Sir Ian's tenure as head of Britain's biggest police force started confidently with reforms including neighbourhood policing and a more diverse workforce, and he has presided over falling crime in the capital.Sir Ian's tenure as head of Britain's biggest police force started confidently with reforms including neighbourhood policing and a more diverse workforce, and he has presided over falling crime in the capital.
But he has been dogged by a string of controversies, including the shooting dead by police of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, who was mistaken for a suicide bomber.But he has been dogged by a string of controversies, including the shooting dead by police of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, who was mistaken for a suicide bomber.
It later emerged he had recorded a telephone conversation with the attorney general without asking his permission.It later emerged he had recorded a telephone conversation with the attorney general without asking his permission.
In 2006, Met officers shot and injured a man while arresting two brothers who were later cleared of involvement in terrorism.In 2006, Met officers shot and injured a man while arresting two brothers who were later cleared of involvement in terrorism.
Recently, Sir Ian has faced criticism over the racism row involving the Met's most senior Asian officer Tarique Ghaffur.Recently, Sir Ian has faced criticism over the racism row involving the Met's most senior Asian officer Tarique Ghaffur.
And Metropolitan Police Authority auditors are in the process of examining Scotland Yard contracts given to consultancy firm Impact Plus, run by a friend.HAVE YOUR SAYIt's a very difficult job, and I don't believe that he did badly, but he needs to goNic Brough, LondonSend us your commentsAnd Metropolitan Police Authority auditors are in the process of examining Scotland Yard contracts given to consultancy firm Impact Plus, run by a friend.HAVE YOUR SAYIt's a very difficult job, and I don't believe that he did badly, but he needs to goNic Brough, LondonSend us your comments
Announcing his resignation, Sir Ian said: "I am resigning not because of any failures of my service and not because the pressures of the office and the many stories that surround it are too much...Announcing his resignation, Sir Ian said: "I am resigning not because of any failures of my service and not because the pressures of the office and the many stories that surround it are too much...
"However, at a meeting on Wednesday the new mayor made clear, in a very pleasant and determined way, that he wished there to be a change of leadership at the Met.""However, at a meeting on Wednesday the new mayor made clear, in a very pleasant and determined way, that he wished there to be a change of leadership at the Met."
Sir Ian will step down on 1 December.Sir Ian will step down on 1 December.
His deputy, Sir Paul Stephenson, is understood to be the mayor's favoured candidate to take over the job.His deputy, Sir Paul Stephenson, is understood to be the mayor's favoured candidate to take over the job.