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'No rush' urge for new Met chief | 'No rush' urge for new Met chief |
(about 6 hours later) | |
London Mayor Boris Johnson has urged Home Secretary Jacqui Smith not to rush into appointing a new Metropolitan police commissioner. | London Mayor Boris Johnson has urged Home Secretary Jacqui Smith not to rush into appointing a new Metropolitan police commissioner. |
The mayor also said that he wanted to be involved in the shortlisting and final interviewing of candidates. | |
Ms Smith alone would usually make the appointment after recommendations from the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), which Mr Johnson chairs. | Ms Smith alone would usually make the appointment after recommendations from the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), which Mr Johnson chairs. |
Sir Ian Blair resigned on Thursday, blaming the mayor's lack of support. | Sir Ian Blair resigned on Thursday, blaming the mayor's lack of support. |
Met Deputy commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson will take over as acting head should no candidate be appointed by the time he steps down on 1 December. | Met Deputy commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson will take over as acting head should no candidate be appointed by the time he steps down on 1 December. |
In a letter sent to Ms Smith on Friday, the mayor noted the home secretary had informed him she was planning to stick to existing procedures in appointing a successor. | In a letter sent to Ms Smith on Friday, the mayor noted the home secretary had informed him she was planning to stick to existing procedures in appointing a successor. |
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 | 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 |
But he urged caution before making a new appointment and advised instead "a pause to take stock" for the good of the organisation. | But he urged caution before making a new appointment and advised instead "a pause to take stock" for the good of the organisation. |
Mr Johnson called for a "fairly lengthy consolidation period" for the Met to re-stabilise under the interim leadership of Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson after a period of "serious disruption". | Mr Johnson called for a "fairly lengthy consolidation period" for the Met to re-stabilise under the interim leadership of Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson after a period of "serious disruption". |
He also dismissed suggestions of a Tory plot to oust Britain's most senior police officer as "absolutely outlandish". | He also dismissed suggestions of a Tory plot to oust Britain's most senior police officer as "absolutely outlandish". |
There was no party political element, he insisted, but a chance to "increase operational effectiveness." | There was no party political element, he insisted, but a chance to "increase operational effectiveness." |
Ms Smith has accused the Mayor of acting without authority or respect by pushing Sir Ian out for political reasons. | Ms Smith has accused the Mayor of acting without authority or respect by pushing Sir Ian out for political reasons. |
The normal procedure for removing the Met commissioner is that the MPA, its board of governors, must seek the Home Secretary's approval. | The normal procedure for removing the Met commissioner is that the MPA, its board of governors, must seek the Home Secretary's approval. |
Former Home Secretary David Blunkett said he feared that this set a precedent that every new London administration would mean a new police chief. | Former Home Secretary David Blunkett said he feared that this set a precedent that every new London administration would mean a new police chief. |
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