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'No precedent set' over Blair row 'No precedent set' over Blair row
(30 minutes later)
London Mayor Boris Johnson has denied a constitutional precedent has been set by the resignation of Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair. London Mayor Boris Johnson has denied a "dangerous precedent" has been set by the resignation of Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair.
He said the police chief's decision to quit came after he had told Sir Ian it was "time for a change".
Mr Johnson told BBC One's The Politics Show there were "too many distractions" preventing Sir Ian from doing his job.Mr Johnson told BBC One's The Politics Show there were "too many distractions" preventing Sir Ian from doing his job.
Sir Ian cited a lack of support from the mayor as the main reason behind his decision to step down on 1 December.Sir Ian cited a lack of support from the mayor as the main reason behind his decision to step down on 1 December.
Some commentators have said the mayor overstepped the mark and political motives were beyond Sir Ian's departure. The Tory mayor said claims political interference lay beyond the departure was "balderdash, piffle and tripe".
But Mr Johnson said he he had no constitutional power to "oust" him. Mr Johnson added that he did not believe a "constitutional precedent has been set" by Sir Ian's resignation on Friday.
He dismissed claims that he had as "balderdash, piffle and tripe". He said he had a discussion with Sir Ian about how to improve "operational effectiveness" and said it seemed like a good time to give someone else the opportunity to lead the force.
Mr Johnson said he had a discussion with Sir Ian about how to improve "operational effectiveness" and said it seemed like a good time to give someone else the opportunity to lead the force.
It's a demonstration of raw power and its ripples will be felt for a long time Tony Travers,Local government expert 'No rush' urge for new Met chiefAnalysis: Sign of things to come?It's a demonstration of raw power and its ripples will be felt for a long time Tony Travers,Local government expert 'No rush' urge for new Met chiefAnalysis: Sign of things to come?
But Tony Travers, a local government expert from the London School of Economics told the Politics Show: "It's a constitutional mess. "There were too many distractions and I think Sir Ian accepts that as much as anybody," he said.
"The implication is that if the home secretary appoints he commissioner she would get rid of him. But he added: "Sir Ian and I agreed we wouldn't go into an item by item analysis."
Big leap
The Home Office and the Metropolitan Police Authority, which Mr Johnson started chairing from last Wednesday, are to draw up a shortlist for Sir Ian's successor.
Met Deputy commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson will take over as acting head should no candidate be appointed by the time he leaves the post on 1 December.
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.
And Tony Travers, a local government expert from the London School of Economics told the Politics Show: "It's a constitutional mess.
"The implication is that if the home secretary appoints he commissioner she would get rid of him."
Describing Mr Johnson's involvement he said: "It's a big leap in the dark as a political decision but it's a demonstration of raw power and its ripples will be felt for a long time to come."Describing Mr Johnson's involvement he said: "It's a big leap in the dark as a political decision but it's a demonstration of raw power and its ripples will be felt for a long time to come."
But Conservative party leader David Cameron said it was time for Sir Ian to go. Conservative party leader David Cameron, however, said it was time for Sir Ian to go.
He said: "Senior police officers like other public servants have to be publicly accountable - if something goes wrong and mistakes are made you have to carry the can."He said: "Senior police officers like other public servants have to be publicly accountable - if something goes wrong and mistakes are made you have to carry the can."
"It was time for a change.""It was time for a change."
The Home Office and the Metropolitan Police Authority are to draw up a shortlist for Sir Ian's successor.
Boris Johnson has written to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith asking to be more involved but this has so far been declined.
Ms Smith informed him she was planning to stick to existing procedures.
Met Deputy commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson will take over as acting head should no candidate be appointed by the time he leaves the post on 1 December.