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Civil servant attacks Boris Johnson over ousting of Sir Ian Blair
Justin Davenport and Katharine Barney08.06.09
A senior civil servant at the Home Office today opened a major rift with Mayor Boris Johnson over the resignation of Met police chief Sir Ian Blair.
Permanent secretary Sir David Normington said he and former home secretary Jacqui Smith were "shocked and disappointed" to see the commissioner forced out of his post in October last year.
Sir Ian, 56, stepped down as Commissioner with a £1million pay-off after Mr Johnson said he no longer had confidence in him. His tenure was marked by a series of controversies and rows at Scotland Yard.
Today's intervention is a highly unusual step for a civil service chief and an indication of how unhappy the department was over Sir Ian's removal.
Speaking on a BBC Radio 4 documentary, The Ian Blair Years, broadcast today, Sir David appeared to indicate disapproval of Mr Johnson's destabilisation of the Commissioner, saying he hoped in future there would be "close co-operation" between the Mayor and the Home Office over the position of Britain's senior policeman.
He recalled how he and Ms Smith met Sir Ian after a crisis meeting between the Commissioner and the Mayor and recognised he was determined to resign.
Sir David said: "We did debate with him why he had got to this point. I think he believed that, since the Mayor had lost confidence in him, he could not continue. He was fairly resolute that he was going to stand down.
"It was a shock and it was a disappointment. We liked Ian Blair and you had to feel for the human being at the heart of this.
"This was the pinnacle of his career and he was having to step down from it and he was obviously very upset about that."
In lightly-veiled criticism of Mr Johnson's handling of the police chief, Sir David said: "The appointment of the Commissioner and the resignation of the Commissioner is ultimately a matter for the Home Secretary in law and therefore she felt that she should have been consulted about it."
Deputy Mayor for policing Kit Malthouse hit back at the criticism branding the Home Office "out of touch".
He said: "Londoners overwhelmingly believe the Mayor acted in their best interests in seeking a change of leadership at the Met.
"Part of the problem is that the Home Secretary and senior civil servants such as Sir Dave are out of touch with what Londoners need."
Reader views (14)
Sounds like the "jobs for the boys" brigade are up in arms, he was my friend and I miss him, ahhh diddums. How about looking at Blair's appalling record (that's Ian not Tony, no one has enough time to look at his), he deserved to be booted, he was utterly ineffectual, some might say borderline incompetant.
- Bob, Cheam
"Permanent secretary Sir David Normington said he and former home secretary Jacqui Smith were "shocked and disappointed" to see the commissioner forced out of his post in October last year."
This is the home secretary who was widely recognised as the worst of a very sorry bunch and who resigned last week.
Yeh, right, we're all going to take notice of this then ....
- Sarit, Hong Kong
Ethan is very strident about David Norminton, but doesn't address the issue at all.
Kit Malthouse makes an assertion which avoides the issue.
Incidently, who voted for Kit Malthouse? How can he tell whether people are 'out of touch'?
Both of these individuals use logical sleight of hand to discredit their opponents. They don't seem to use logic or evidence.
I am undecided about the Ian Blair debacle, but I do have a niggling suspicion that Boris Johnson might be a bit of a bully.
- Harry, Balham, London SW12
'It was a shock and it was a disappointment. We liked Ian Blair and you had to feel for the human being at the heart of this'
Yes, but he was rubbish and had to go: quite simple really. Curious that the posters here understand the principle of official impartiality better than the Home office wallah who's supposed to be practising it.
- Mdj E10, london uk
Somebody had to have the courage to return police back to proper policing on the streets instead of political policing.
Very simple question WHY was the majority of police taken off our streets and crime allowed to run rampant and our borders opened up to all in sundry?
Mayhem and civil war was needed to cement the loonies Nu-World order. Very scarry folks because honest men stood by and did nothing to stop them!!
- Mike, London
Ethan, UK,
You have hit the nail on the head! As I was reading the article, the same thoughts were going through my head ....
The Civil Service has been sadly politicised, as have the police, by this odious government.
- Carver, newark,
IT WAS TIME FOR BLAIR TO GO THE MET BECAME A SHAMBLES UNDER HIS WATCH AND TOO MANY INOCCENT PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES WITH OVER ZEALOUS POLICING LOOK AT CHARLES DE MENZES HE TRIED TO COVER THAT UP I FOR ONE WILL NEVER FORGIVE THEM FOR WHAT THEY DONE TO THIS POOR GUY GOING TO WORK BLASTED 7 TIMES AT CLOSE RANGE ,THEY ALL FORGOT HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO SHOULD HAVE HAD PROTECTION FROM THE POLICE BUT AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE AND AGAIN I FOR ONE DONT WANT THERE SORT OF PROTECTION I FEEL A LOT SAFER WITHOUT IT THEY ALL WANT TO HANG THEIR HEADS IN SHAME,
- James Fennessey, london
I know who elected Boris but I missed Sir David Normington obtaining his electoral mandate. Who voted for this clown Normington? Whats that nobody you say? He's just a state employee? Well much as I want to take advice and criticism from a out of touch toff he can just clear orfff. Your're fired - clear your desk Sir David. You've just driven a bendybus through the Civil SERVICE code on impartiality. Don't bother to collect your Multi million pound final salary pension just clear off. In fact you've got form for this offence before. Being too chummy with Nu Liebour. Well their history and so are you. You are so fired! Especially after your totally INEPT politically motivated persecution of Damian Green MP. Breaching HOC rules on members priviledge and lying to the Met Police about the leaker and National Security. A discredited toff oaf.
- Ethan, UK
Sir David. Don't. Not your job. Not your place.
- Thats News, Telford
Like it or not Sir David is right about the law. People like Sir David do a marvellous job for this country behind the scenes. We should back them up, not knock them down. These Tories worry me. They appear to think they are above the law and due process - as in the 1990s.
- Neil Welton, London, United Kingdom
Totally agree with Nick Holland. None of your business Sir David. Do your job and keep your mouth shut is the rule that has always applied in the Civil Service. You have no right to an opinion until you too resign or retire and then you should NOT discuss matters that came before you in your career.
- Malcolm Lawrence, North Wales
'We liked Ian Blair'. What the hell has that to do with his effectiveness. Typical senior civil servant. No doubt Oxbridge educated. Hasn't a clue about the real world since his comprises back-scratching and old-boy network.
- James, Cambridge
I believe Normington was responsible for getting the plod into the House of Commons to investigate a certain conservative MP. Subsequent to that the resignation/retirement of a couple of top plods. Sour grapes from Sir David?
- Jono, cela portugal.
What on earth has it got to do with him. He is an employee of the state (far too well rewarded for having a knighthood)and such he is paid a salary to do a job. Keep your nose out 'Sir David' and get on with your job. If you do not agree either resign or put up for election otherwise butt out.
- Nick Holland, glasgow
