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Boris Johnson 'abusing powers of Met Police Authority'
Justin Davenport and Katharine Barney06.10.08
Boris Johnson came under fire today as he chaired a meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority for the first time.
The Mayor was accused of failing to consult the majority of MPA members, first over his decision to force out Commissioner Sir Ian Blair and then over today's announcement of an inquiry into claims of racism in the Met.
Green Party member Jenny Jones said the Mayor had usurped the power of the authority.
Liberal Democrat Dee Doocey said his decision to oust the commissioner set a worrying precedent. She added: "I do not have a problem with the outcome, I believe he should have gone a long time ago, but it was the manner in which it was done. If you do not consult the MPA on a matter as important as this, then what happens next time."
Mr Johnson told the City Hall meeting that he had consulted a "great many people" in the MPA.
However, a show of hands among members revealed that a majority had been kept in the dark.
There was also criticism over the racism inquiry, which will be led by Cindy Butts, a black member of the MPA. Labour's Len Duvall said the inquiry should be seen to be independent. "If someone from the MPA is leading this process, then I think some people will never be satisfied," he added.
Toby Harris said the review threatened to be the "world's biggest longgrass job". The Mayor agreed the terms of the inquiry should be reviewed.
On the decision to oust Sir Ian, Mr Johnson said: "I think most people in London understand that it was right, given the circumstances, that we should offer someone else the chance to be the new leader of the Met." Sir Ian's role at the meeting was taken by Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson - whom the Mayor referred to as the Commissioner. Sir Paul gave a report on the Met's performance saying that overall crime was falling, as were gun homicides, but knife killings were up.
The Mayor's inquiry into racism in the Met will examine claims that the force is still beset with "institutional racism" - nearly 10 years after the claim was made by the inquiry into the Stephen Lawrence murder.
Among its aims will be to decide if the recommendations of the 1999 Macpherson report into the case have been implemented. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Black Police Association today urged ethnic minority applicants not to join the Met, because it was racist.
The force is embroiled in a race row which has seen two of its most senior ethnic minority officers, Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur and Commander Al i Dizaei , ef fect ively suspended.
In a Panorama programme on racism in the police tonight, Britain's only black police chief, Kent's Mike Fuller, says ethnic minority officers have to work twice as hard as whites to get on. Mr Fuller, who has two degrees and two postgraduate degrees, said he had felt the need to be overqualified.
The programme also reports that two London Asian police sergeants in the British Transport Police arrived at their station in Stockwell two weeks ago to find a Ku Klux Klan emblem scraped into their lockers. BTP confirmed an investigation has been launched.
Reader views (14)
Bent policemen, and politicians can bleat all they like!
In the real world, populated by real people, Boris and his attitude is welcomed and applauded. We feel that we have a politician who is, at last,dealing with the many things we have perceived as wrong, all carried out and hushed up by a political 'elite' who have seen themselves above reproach and retribution!!! Long may he be Mayor!!
- Carver, Nottingham UK
Boris - you are the first, the very first ever, Polititian who has gained my trust and made my Christmas card list.
The question should be, "Why aren't all polititians like Boris."
Well done and please please please keep it up.
- Richard, Sheffield
Even the police need policing but not by one person from one political party!
- Bertie, Romford England
Firstly, the allegations of racism against the Met Police have been made by an illegal organisation within the Force. The Association of Black Police Officers is, by its very name, illegal because it excludes all white officers and therefore an offence against the Racial Discrimination Acts. I have confronted the Chief Constable of my own area regarding this matter and his defence is that it was authorised by the then Home Secretary, David Blunket. (No one can authorise something which is illegal surely)
Secondly, as a retired police officer I can honestly say that the only racial discrimination I saw within my Force throughout my 30 years service was positive discrimination. Black officers being promoted way beyond their capabilities and being allowed to get away with things no white officer would. If there is to be an enquiry into these allegations, please let it be fair and not conducted by some bigoted organisation as has been the case in the past.
- James Fletcher, Sheffield, England
Stay on your course Boris. The bad cops have to go and we are all sick and tired of pc, PCs.
- Clive Allen, Brighton, UK
Can somebody explain to me the reason we ALWAYS have a black person in chage of anyting to do with racism ????? Like Trevor Phillips who heads the racial equality board. The man is an out a out racist but keeps his job??? This racism thing is getting far too one sided for me and a lot of other people.
- Duncan Walker, Ex Peckham now Samui Thailand
My brother emigrated to Australia some time ago and thought it was quite normal that he should put in more effort than those from that continent, in able to get advancement. I hope the Black Police Association (surely this title alone is racist) succeed in stopping minority groups from joining the Met, we cannot afford any more tribunal claims to supplement their income.
- Dave Bristol, Bristol England
Why should anyone listen to a word uttered by the racists of the BPA?
As I recall, white officers can not join, and indeed, as I also recall, there is no equivalent "white" or Caucasian officers club to represent their views and aspirations.
To be honest, I am quite glad no such groups do exist as I have no doubt they would only come out with a similar level of drivel to that espoused by the BPA.
- Eoin Mcgreeghan, Derry, NI
Boris took the right step. We all knew Blair was a busted flush. The Mayor just accepted the reality and acted accordingly. London policing needed a fresh start. Boris has made that possible.
- Aolesx, London
What's making the Left unhappy is that their political placeman, Ian Blair, has been forced to resign by the democratically elected Mayor of London. It's time the police were made accountable to us the voters - well done Boris.
- Ian, London
just where does the mayors powers end!scandalous the police need to be independant to carry out their jobs,without any interfering from political figures
- Nicholas France, paris
Blair's gone; that's all that matters. Too much jabbering on this days, that is why nothing happens in this country. If there is a problem, confront it and deal with it. Dithering only makes things worse. Is that not right Gordon? Well done Boris.
- Albert Hall, hove england
If the MPA had been doing their job then Boris would not have needed to take action.
"I do not have a problem with the outcome, I believe he should have gone a long time ago, but it was the manner in which it was done." Lib Dem Member. If left to people like this he'd have a second term.
- Dave, London
No way, Boris needed to get the job done. We have no room left for Loony Labour pondering. Posturing and pondering to imponderables is over the real world begins.
- Mike, London
