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Sir Ian Blair quits the Met
Pippa Crerar, Joe Murphy and Justin Davenport03.10.08
Boris Johnson has forced out Sir Ian Blair as head of the Met.
Britain's most senior police officer resigned tonight after a crisis meeting with the Mayor yesterday afternoon.
The Standard has learned that Mr Johnson, who took control of the Metropolitan Police Authority yesterday, told him he had reached "the end of the line" and should consider his options.
Events unfolded with dramatic speed today. Sir Ian told Deputy Mayor Kit Malthouse this morning before informing Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. Sir Ian told her he had to go, because the Mayor had effectively said he could no longer work with him.
The Met Commissioner offered to walk out immediately - but Ms Smith asked him to stay for a few months. They agreed he would leave in early December, more than a year earlier than the expiry of his contract in February 2010.
Sir Ian, 55, is understood to have negotiated a big severance payment, and is entitled to a gold-plated pension after more than three decades of service as a police officer. He was on a salary of £240,813.
In a statement tonight he was not expected to attack Mr Johnson personally, but his friends were making clear he felt bitter he had not been given more public support during recent allegations of impropriety involving contracts.
Labour ministers were in angry mood and planning to launch a political attack on Mr Johnson's handling of the matter.
But sources close to the Mayor said they had lost confidence in Sir Ian's ability to run day-to-day policing. "The Mayor has felt with growing anxiety over recent weeks that various issues surrounding Sir Ian became a distraction for the organisation," one said.
From Scotland Yard, a source said: "The Mayor effectively said he could not work with him. [Sir Ian] had no choice. The Mayor wanted a change of leadership."
Mr Johnson suggested Sir Ian should go the day he took direct control of the Metropolitan Police Authority. He is due to chair his first meeting on Monday. There have been rumblings in Conservative circles for several months that the Mayor was keen to oust Sir Ian. Publicly, Mr Johnson pointedly said that he believes the Mayor should have the power to hire and fire London's police chief in future.
Deputy mayor Kit Malthouse was accused of plotting to remove Sir Ian in July when leaked emails revealed he demanded to know why Mr Johnson could not remove the Met chief from his post while the contracts investigation was under way.
Former mayor Ken Livingstone gave strong support to Sir Ian during a string of controversies, including the Forest Gate shooting and the accidental killing of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes.
Sir Ian's friends are angry that he did not have the same support from Mr Johnson. One said: "The Mayor's office has been quiet during a string of unpleasant allegations, some of which may have involved dirty tricks."
The crisis comes after a series of controversies, ranging from questions about contracts awarded by the Met to Sir Ian's handling of the death of Mr de Menezes.
One allegation, that he awarded a £150,000 contract to Impact Plus, a company owned by his friend and skiing partner Andy Miller, had already prompted an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Authority.
Sir Ian is also facing claims of racial, religious and age discrimination against Britain's most senior Asian policeman, Met Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaf fur, who has launched an employment tribunal case against him.
And he faced renewed pressure of the de Menezes shooting at Stockwell tube station in July 2005 with the start last week of an inquest, which is expected to lead to fresh criticism. The Met has already been convicted over the killing under health and safety legislation.
Senior officers are believed to be working on a plan in which Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson takes the top role with Assistant Commissioner John Yates as deputy.
Reader views (44)
Sir Ian Blair is an intelligent and capable person, who has had more thrown at him than any previous commissioner. Maybe it was time to go but the way it happened is totally unacceptable. Boris is being populist, as he has been with 'bendy buses'. However after six months I would like to see something to suggest the change of mayor was actually worthwhile!
- Michael, London
Bernard Hogan-Howe was excellent when he was in the Met years ago my money is on him !
- Ms Jeanette, London
How terrible.
Boris Johnson should have filled in a form in TRIPLICATE requesting the Home Secretary;'s consent to express a view that he did not have confidence in Cur Ian Blair. This form should be signed by the Home Secretary and only then passed up the chain of command for further approval.
Only when the pink copy of this form is returned to the Major approved by the Cabinet and sealed by all the Archbishops and Imams should he be allowed to say what he thinks.
What is the world coming to when a Mayor is allowed to express an opinion?
- David, East Grinstead
its good to see that the other blair has finally gone we dont need a politician running our police now only brown and smith to go now
- Bring Back Hanging We Need A New Reality Show, london
Can I get a 120k a year pension if I screw up my job please?
- Paul, London
You reap what you sow!!
If an innocent person was killed under my watch, i'd be looking "bird!"
- Archi, London
More idiocy from the chronically incompetent Boris Johnson; sticking his beak into a level of policing that he doesnt even begin to understand.
Nice to see the way its spun in the evening tory for a laugh.
If Boris manages to involve himself in appointing a replacement, will he go for a con-man, a racist or asset stripper this time? And will they last 3 weeks, 5 weeks or 9 weeks after appointment?
- David, Wimbledon
I was told by an ex-copper that the worst thing they could do was to let this man in. They did so and here is the result. What a shambles and what a lovely golden handshake and pension. No more worries for him then.
Amber in Mitcham
- Amber, Mitcham Surrey
Bloke, London, you summed it up exactly.
John Kirby, Crouch End Islington, "...I like feeling safe, feeling reassured, and he gives me that." I don't think the family of Jean-Charles De Menezes would agree with you. It is probably safe to assume you look very Caucasian.
- Another Bloke, ex-Dagenham
I'll bet some senior Nu-Labour politicians are feeling a bit queasy at the prospect of Assistant Commissioner John Yates getting nearer the top job.
Are their collars less likely to be felt if they stay in Government or become Lords? At least they won't need the cash payments for the latter.
- Wat, Nottingham, UK
I am a Londoner, an ex Met officer, and a member of the police forum policeoracle. The chatter on the forum regarding the successor (with most officers accepting that Sir Ian has done the honourable thing by going) is worrying in that most officers outside London would gladly see their Chief Constable leave their Force to take up Sir Ian's post! By the look of things, it might be best for Londonners to stick with Met officers (or highly regarded ex-Met officers like Sir Hugh Orde from Northern Ireland) - otherwise there may be a sting in the tail for those celebrating the Commissioner's departure.
- Geoffrey Hills, Croydon, UK
I am sorry indeed that the appointment of the Police Commissioner is now a political one, and liable to change everytime that the mayor changes or, indeed, on the whim of the mayor.
This change should have been made (probably ages ago), but only with the full support of the Police Authority of which Boris is only the chairman.
I am a keen supporter of Boris but I feel that he has overstepped his powers into a dangerous path for the future of Londoners.
- Dudley, Dorking
Ian was appointed Commissioner only because he was a good friend of Tony Blair. Another disastrous appointment of the new labour era. It provides further evidence of the Tony's cronies jibe that allowed friends of Tony Blair to be given jobs that they are totally unsuited for.
- Steve Phillips, London
B....Liar...i agree with Mario..
- Jack Meoff, wanstead england
His card was marked ever since he put the Met on a shoot to kill policy after the 7/7 bombings. At a time when he had to keep a cool head, he lost it and De Menezes was the tragic result. His departure is just unfinished business for a man too proud to own up to his mistakes. If it wasn't for Boris, he would have served out his term in denial of his own conscience. The Met must be breathing a sigh of relief and quietly thanking Boris for answering their prayers.
- Gary, London
About time too!!! He should have gone along time ago but Ken backed him and that was him safe.
The amount of controversies have damaged the Met Police badly in the eyes of the general public.
Now Boris should also oust the BTP top cop and ensure these organisations are managed properly and FAIRLY using their powers with utmost humanity when dealing with all Londoners.
Both BLAIRS GONE - Who cares about the Credit crunch lets have a good old fashioned STREET PARTY!!!
O and have I mentioned how these organisations communicate with each other....
A man had been followed by the Met Police for 10 years and classed a CAT C Football hooligan but then the man was employed by a private company as a CCTV engineer on LUL Premises feeding live images into LUL and BTP offices with free access given to NSY after 3 months he was BARRED from BTP premises.
Neither organisations had communicated with each other nor completed any Security checks, although the man is NOT a security threat the situation is RIDICULUS to say the least.
- Inspector, London
good and i hope the human rights act follows
- Liz, forest gate
So Boris has rid London of Livingstone and Sir Ian Blair? Cripes, maybe there is hope for this old town yet! Good work, Mayor, keep it up and it will be a one-horse race come the next elections.
- St, London
Cheshire Constabulary are after a New Chief Constable!
How about, Sir Ian?
- Dave, North Staffordshire/South Cheshire
Well said, Josephine! You have given the Blair debacle a true national perspective. Just a thought, Evening Standard, why no mugshots of women police officers?
- Sylvia Smith, London, UK
Go Boris! And my one fear when he got in (and I helped hand out leaflets outside Hustings events where the Labour boys were vile and would physically elbow the Boris supporters out of the good spots) was that Boris would be too nice!
- Thalia, London UK
Of course Blair had to go; his record on countering terrorism was abysmal. There were too many mistakes and false arrests and prosecution. the people had lost faith in him and the Met. Ken was wrong to continue supporting him.
- Dhanraj, basildon, essex
I strongly urge mayor Johnson that every effort is made to appoint D.C.I Gene Hunt to the post of commissioner.
He should be furnished with the latest Audi sport model car,camel hair overcoat,and given free reign to police the metropolis as he sees fit.
- R.Stratford, London U.K
I have heard he is holding his leaving do in the red phone box down the road from Scotland Yard, all invited. Even you Boris!
- Jonathan Clinch, Enfield
Well done, Boris. Sir Ian Blair should have left immediately. It is not surprising Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is reluctant to see him go; he is too close to New Labour and is one of the few law professionals who supports the government's attack on our democratic way of life, such as 42 days detention without charge or trial, and their Chinese / Middle Eastern ID system).
His - and the Government’s - criminally-negligent, callous response to the police-shooting of Jean-Charles De Menezes and his utterances over the years show how little he values human rights (or life) and liberties that make Britain a just and civilised society.
He was a fitting bed-fellow for our current authoritarian leadership, and would have lost his job long ago if the principle of democratic answerability had not been scrapped by this government. Labour ministers are obviously angry at the erosion of support for their failing administration.
In a decent, democratic society he would have gone years ago, but then, so would the current government.
- Josephine, Midlands, UK
I have supported Boris Johnson, and think he is good for London, I think Ken Livingstone was the right man for the job at the time and did an incredible job, and the voters decided that it was time for a change and feel however, disappointed that he feels that he has the right to tell Sir Ian Blair to go.
Boris, be brave, lets have an elected Police Commissioner, I would vote Blair, I think he is good for a safer London, and we deserve the best, I like feeling safe, feeling reassured, and he gives me that.
I believe him to be a genuine decent hard working man that yes, has made mistakes but at the end of the day has done a great job.
- John Kirby, Crouch End Islington
It's a sad day when the most high profile and senior police officer in England and Wales is forced to quit because of politics. However, Sir Ian was appointed purely on political grounds in the first place, and so we shouldn't be surprised to see him go following a change of Mayor. Sir Ian was never a coppers, copper and was always a left of centre liberal, even to the extent of growing the symbol of left wing intellectuals, the small goatee beard as worn by the likes of Darling, Blunket and a number of other Cabinet ministers. Of course when Nu-Labour came to office this symbol was removed, and Blair did likewise upon his appointment as Deputy Commissioner. However, in both cases the underlying ideology remains. Blair's renowned over the top PC upset the rank and file, causing low moral and deflating the enthusiasm of front line officers, who were always looking over their shoulders at internal politics rather than getting on with 'the job' in hand. Sir Ian's complete and utter silence over the ongoing dispute with the Home Secretary over pay and conditions added fuel to the feeling that he cared only about his own position, and was not interested in the welfare of the rank and file. In the end he not only lost the support of the rank and file, and a number of very senior officers, but also the politicians responsible for the MPA. It was only a matter of time.
For my tuppence worth step forward Sir Hugh Ord and Mike Fuller, CCs of the PSNI and Kent respectively.
- Pip, Croydon UK
Good riddance. First Livingstone, now Blair. Hopefully sooner or later Gordon Brown will make up the hat-trick
- Vic W, West sussex
Ian Blair was too politically correct, he should have been ditched for that reason. Either way, whoever the next commissioner is let's have someone no nonesense and non politically correct who will get back to policing properly.
- Steve Stander, London, UK
So his pension will be around £120,000 p.a. then.
I think that the Taxpayer has to cough up at least £40,000 of this amount to top up the Police contribution.
Try and get the numbers of of them - very difficult !
- Cap, london uk
About time too! I have never known such a terrible period within the upper ranks. I have written to him and other people involved in this sad episode and have not had one reply or response. The BPA with all their dreadful stance on all this farce should be the next to sling their hook. They have a lot to answer for as well.
I only hope that the rotton Dizaei and the ill advised Ghaffur will be next to step down and that the latters stupid claim for racial discrimination is treated with the contempt that it deserves. Well done Boris for getting your foot in this well protected door
- Mario, London
Let's not shed too many tears for Blair. He was in a high profile and highly paid job to which it was increasingly clear he was not suited.
Blair may have had an exemplary record as a police officer but Met Commissioner needs to be first and foremost an expert politician, not part of the brief, but in today's world a prime requirement.
His woeful lack of tactical skills at this level showed itself again and again with the Menedes case being the most glaring example, I fear that whoever replaces him will suffer under the micro-management of Johnson making a difficult job almost impossible.
- David, Gillingham, Kent
Start of the regeneration of this City, the first of Nu Labours' appologists to fall on his own sword. Stron leadership from Boris, perhaps now our Police can get back to policing!
- Joe, London
Two Blairs gone just a Brown to go?
- Mark, Bournemouth England
What a disgrace. Sir Ian Blair loses his job because of political correctness whilst his disloyal Asian officers stand to make a killing in unwarranted compensation payments. This just about sums this country up.
- David James, London
Good Riddance to bad rubbish.
- Jayson Turnbull, London
At last! Well done Boris.
- Steve, London, UK
Good riddance to a Politically Correct dimwit.
- David, East Grinstead
There is only one thing worse than religious fanatics blowing themselves up in public places and that is armed police shooting innocent members of the public, whether carelessly, ineptly or without reasonable justification.
- Bloke, London
Wow - what a scoop - he hasn't even announced it on TV yet!
- Andrew Grill, London, UK
Thank heavens we can finally say goodbye, and may you have as much bad luck as you have brought to London, to this incompetent, vain, preening excuse for a Commissioner. Another nail in the venal Nu-Labour coffin.
- 45govt, Barbados
Hurrah!...About time and good riddance! Mr Blair has proved ineffectual, obstinate and a tad arrogant as the Commissioner if you ask me.
- Ali Sichilongo, London
Hallelujah! This guy was an arrogant monster who believed his own hype.
- James, London
good. blair was a hopeless liar and corrupt. i hope londoners can sue him to get our money back.
- Josh, london
