Mayor 'passed over US supercop for Met chief'

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The Mayor met the tough-talking policeman three years ago when the idea of him taking over at Scotland Yard was discussed at City Hall.

A source close to the Mayor today said Mr Johnson was "incredibly impressed" with the American and his record, but "was in favour of getting someone well-versed in the culture of British policing".

Mr Bratton, 63, has led the war on knife and gun crime in New York, Los Angeles and Boston. He has told how he would relish the challenge in London. His zero-tolerance approach was credited with drastically cutting New York's murder rate.

David Cameron is believed to have wanted him to take over at the Met, until Home Secretary Theresa May insisted Britain's top officer should be British.

Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson resigned last month over the phone hacking scandal, followed by Assistant Commissioner John Yates. Their departures have led to calls for the force's leadership to be refreshed.

Mr Bratton told an American news website: "It's one of the most prestigious positions in democratic policing in the world."

The Association of Chief Police Officers called the idea of foreign officers leading British forces "stupid".