Police chiefs refuse to pass on Home Secretary's festive greeting to officers because of pay dispute

In another sign of the bitterness surrounding the police pay dispute, the chief constables of Essex and Cambridgeshire refused to pass her seasonal goodwill message to their officers.

They said it would be "inappropriate" following her decision to effectively cut this year's pay award.

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The message is usually circulated by forces on their internal computer system.

But Essex police chief Roger Baker said yesterday: "While I have been happy to publish this in previous years, I feel that this year her message is not consistent with the decision she has taken over police officers' pay.

"To publish it would be inappropriate and insensitive at a time when my officers are feeling, quite rightly, aggrieved.

"I will be writing to the Home Secretary to express my views."

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire chief constable Julie Spence said: "We received an eight-paragraph letter sent to all forces thanking them for their work in 2007, praising them for their bravery and dedication, and wishing them a happy Christmas.

"The letter arrived two days after news of the pay dispute emerged.

"Normally, the letter would be published on our force website but the Chief Constable felt it would be inappropriate."

In her message, Miss Smith wrote: "As we look forward to 2008, I know I can rely on you, as a service, to continue to meet the challenges you face and embrace the changes we are making to support you."

She thanked officers for their hard work and professionalism and noted the personal risks they take in the line of duty.

Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation which represents rank and file officers, said: "I cannot contain my disgust at the merriment in Jacqui Smith's words at the peak of a dispute over a fair pay settlement."

The federation has called on the Home Secretary to resign and said many officers were calling for a change in the law so they could legally go on strike.

Scotland Yard Commissioner Sir Ian Blair yesterday backed calls for a review of Miss Smith's decision that a 2.3 per cent rise agreed at arbitration would not be backdated - effectively reducing it to 1.9 per cent.

He said: "I am very disappointed with the Government's decision. I don't understand why this particular fight has been picked. I do not think we need to be in this position.

"I disassociate myself from requests for the Home Secretary to resign - I think she is a very good home secretary - but I think this is a mistake and I told her that and I told her predecessor that."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has refused to back down, insisting the decision was a crucial element in holding down public sector pay rises as part of the fight against inflation.