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Ian Blair could be given minister job and peerage
Joe Murphy, Political Editor03.10.08
Sir Ian Blair is poised for a speedy return to public life with a peerage and possibly a government post, the Standard can reveal.
Gordon Brown, who spoke to Sir Ian before he resigned yesterday, is considering giving him a peerage in the new year.
According to allies, Mr Brown is tempted to appoint Sir Ian to a ministerial position relating to security - similar to junior Home Office Minister Lord West. Such an appointment could mean Boris Johnson having to work closely with the former Met chief in future.
A source close to No10 said: "The Prime Minister admires Sir Ian Blair and thinks he has a great deal to offer in public life in the future. Nothing will happen before the new year but a peerage and a role in the Government are both possibilities."
A Downing Street spokesman confirmed that Mr Brown spoke to Sir Ian before he left but would not be drawn on future appointments. "Nothing is imminent," he said.
Mr Brown was rumoured to have tried to persuade Sir Ian to defy the Mayor and stay on as London's police chief. However, sources said that by the time they spoke it was already clear that Sir Ian had made up his mind to go.
Reader views (8)
If Blair wouldn't stand his ground against Boris' attack, what use does Brown think he will be in any other testing situation?
The fact that Blair has not denied these rumours of a ministerial post proves that he is happy to be defined as a political figure, and that Johnson was right to want him out fro that reason alone, even though his procedure was completely wrong.
- Mdj, Leyton, e10 london
As suspected the "politics" in this event, appear to have come from Blair himself and the Labour Government
- Harry H, London UK
You're not really Steve, London, you're snotty gobbler`s flacid rebuttal unit Dolly Draper aren`t you.
Boris is THE ELECTED MAYOR OF LONDON. Elected by the voters. Is the message getting through Dolly. Londoners voted for Boris to sort out the Met, not some thieving Scots git or some stupid incompetent female home sec.
So you think the voters remit should be reined in do you.
If you don`t vote as we say then we will take your vote away. Is that what you`re saying Steve/Dolly.
Oh and for the stupid 'Billy Bunter' jibe, please do us a favour you tried the silly 'toff' trick at Crewe & Nantwich, where did that get you.
Roll on Glenrothes when you'll be wiped out & roll on May 2010.
- Andy C, Ex-London
Boris sounds a bit like the mayors we have in California. Vain & unqualified!
Tucker,Los Angeles
- Tucker, Los Angeles, CA
Perhaps the soon to be Lord (Ian) Blair should be appointed minister for London, so as to keep an eye on the (public schoolboy) antics of BoJo
- Olly, Chulmleigh UK
How about a kick up the backside and a one way ticket to Siberia instead? Seldom in the history of mankind has one person proven to be such a totally helpless waste of time and space .... [of course this is before the current labour government]
- Marianne, S W France
Steve, Boris won the election. Get over it.
- Rogan, DFW TX
Good work Gordon. About time central government flexed its muscles. If Boris can't follow procedures then perhaps he should have his remit reined in.It's like having Billy Bunter as head boy.
- Steve, London
