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While he always dealt with the detail, it was the Mayor who handled major controversies, such as policing the G20 summit, at the showpiece City Hall meetings. The question is whether Malthouse will have the same charisma.

Met chiefs will be watching closely for any signs of further interference in operational policing. In particular the focus will be on his relationship with Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson.

Last year they squared up in an extraordinary public spat over who was in charge of London's police. Malthouse — then deputy mayor for policing — declared that the Mayor's office had its "hands on the tiller" of the Met. Sir Paul hit back, saying:

"I am the captain of the ship." Neither is likely to back down. Politically, it makes sense for Johnson to distance himself from the MPA. As one commentator put it today, if things go wrong, he now has two people to sack: the Commissioner and Kit.