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Met chief tells Boris Johnson he's not in charge
Justin Davenport and Martin Bentham03.09.09
Scotland Yard chief Sir Paul Stephenson today issued a dramatic challenge to City Hall, saying: “Hands off the Met.”
In an internal email to his officers and staff the commissioner firmly rejected a claim that the Tory-run administration had seized control of the running of the Metropolitan Police.
Sir Paul broke off his holiday to intervene in a row sparked by Boris Johnson's deputy Kit Malthouse, who claimed in a newspaper interview that the Tories had “elbowed the Home Office out of the picture” and had the Met's top officers working to their agenda.
The claim prompted a furious response from senior Yard insiders while the Home Office accused the Mayor of using the police as a “political football”.
In an internal message, seen by the Standard, Sir Paul rejected the suggestion that Scotland Yard was under the control of any political party.
He said: “While the Home Office and the police authority have a right and duty to set priorities, budget and hold us to account, I set the operational strategy and direction for the Met.
“All operational decisions are taken without fear or favour for any individual, political or other interest.
“I can reassure you that I have no intention or expectation of this changing now or in the future.”
In the Guardian interview Mr Malthouse, the deputy mayor for policing, said that he and the Mayor, who chairs the Metropolitan Police Authority, had “decided to be more influential” and would no longer rubber-stamp the ideas of senior officers without question.
He also declared that he and Mr Johnson “have our hands on the tiller” of the Met.
However, there was fury at the comments in the upper circles of the Yard.
One senior insider said: “This is nonsense. If you look at what the police have delivered in the past year that is all down to Sir Paul and nothing to do with politicians.
“Paul has been very robust with Mr Malthouse in recent months. It is ridiculous to say he has wrested control away from the police. He is a local politician thinking he is a national politician. He is very full of himself.”
The Home Office — which clashed with Mr Johnson last year over the removal of the former commissioner Sir Ian Blair — also responded defiantly by declaring that “nothing had changed”.
It added that Mr Malthouse's claims were “incorrect” and in a further swipe at City Hall warned that policing in London was “far too important to be used as a political football”.
Aides to the Mayor later tried to play down the significance of Mr Malthouse's comments, saying he had not meant to imply he or the Mayor had any operational control of the police.
The Mayor also appeared to distance himself from his deputy's remarks, telling the BBC that he was fully aware that Sir Paul had complete operational control of the Met.
Conservative Central Office today declined to comment.
But former Home Secretary David Blunkett accused the Tories of “dangerous triumphalism” and the Labour chairman of the Commons home affairs committee, Keith Vaz, described Mr Malthouse's claims as an “astonishing” and “remarkable” outburst that flew in the face of the facts.
Sir Hugh Orde, the chairman of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: “The strength of British policing is that Chief Constables are operationally independent and held to account.
“If people seriously think some form of elected individual is better placed to oversee policing I am interested to see the details of how that is going to work.”
In the interview, Mr Malthouse said he believed the police should be under as much political control as the NHS or education.
“I don't know why we reserve a special place for policing … we are a mature democracy.”
Reader views (45)
I'm glad to hear someone we elected is in charge. The rule of law ensures the police are responsible to the law, and the law is dictated by politicians -- OUR politicians. Where on earth did the police start thinking it was self governing? What do they think they're doing even throwing around aspersions as to who they think should be in control? How are we, the people, going to check up on the police if we don't ask OUR politicians to do it? Have we all been perfectly happy with the commitment of the police to quelling burglary and violent crime? Whilst their bravery and commitment over security issues is above reproach, were we happy with the Meinzies situation? What about all the inappropriate policing of parking, rubbish disposal, speeding etc? Maybe that isn't the Met, but it is the Met that will cart you off if you thump one of these jack boots... And you want them to have self governance as well? Will someone remind the police who is in charge -- and maybe a little reminder of what the word "police" means... it doesn't mean make up the rules, it means police the rules someone else makes up.
- Whistleblower, London
When will the police cotton on they are our servants not our masters.We pay for them and expect them to do their job without fear or favour.But they are so politiced now they cant do this,compared to past police they are a disgrace and the present head of the metro instead of going along with this should grow a pair and put an end to this Nuliebour fiasco.The people of this country are being conned big time and its time we told them what we would like
- Roy.C, wigan.england.
The problem with the MET. is that it has to be both a 'County' force, an 'internal security and diplomatic' force under the home secretary, and is far larger (therefore more influential)than any other Police Authority in England.
The other question is that it is unclear under the G.L.A. act what the relationship is between the Mayor and the 'County' side.
This is something the next Government has to sort out, but experience proves that Common Law and Practise is more effective than centrally produced legislation brought out of Committee and theory.
The police should stop being political (remember Blair ordering Cambridgeshire Police parking vans in front of Tibetan Protesters when the Chinese prime Minister visited soemyears ago?)and go back to being neutral upholders of the law. And in the same vein stop with the 'disgusted and appalled ' press conferences. The police should be publically un-emotionally.
- Richard Meredith, huntingdon
I do not believe that the Mayor of London should have power over the Met. or it's leadership, in regard to policing the capital and outer london.
But I do believe that the Mayor's office should have the power to question policy, esp. in light of the disturbing ways in which incidents as the G20 fiasco were handled.
Also I would like to know just how many of the met. police officers are ex. army.
I know at least some of the transport police at london stations are, and would like to know if these officers were investigated as to if they are the sort of people we are happy to have wandering around our great London Stations, or chatting outside the Blair's, 'home'.handling powerful guns.I am also ex army and know that some of those I saw should not be handling guns in public.
It would make a lot of sense to me if some of the ' unmarked' officers of the G20 are ex army..as they behaved like beered up soldiers out on a friday Aldershot knees up.
So Boris or others in the Mayor's office, ask what you like...you represent us...against a more soviet like police force...who wish that they were not accountable to any one at all!!
- Richard Templeton-Carr, chelsea. london
Another Local Government non entity (Malthouse) who thinks he should be in charge of something he knows bugger all about. Par for the course for politicians.
- Michael John Murphy, Brightlingsea
"Methinks time for a Standard Poll on whether Boris or the Home Office should run the Met."
Or perhaps 'who's best to micromanage the operation of the police, a) an experienced senior policeman or b) a failed airline tycoon with an overinflated opinion of himself. There are grave dangers in allowing politicians to interfere directly in policing matters - do you want future investigations touching on, say, party donations or expenses to be steered by leading members of those same parties? What about the phone tapping scandal the other week that embroiled the Conservatives' main spin doctor? Is the Met's scandalous softly-softly approach to that case dictated by police best practice or a Tory hand on the tiller? Minefield time, guys.
Mind you, it's telling that Boris, the Met, the Home Office, David bloody Blunkett, ACPO (Sir Hugh Orde, of course, was preferred for the Met top job by right-wing Tories), Uncle Tom Cobbley and all are lining up against blasted Malthouse here. That ought to tell you that he's made a serious error of judgement, right enough. Still, that's par for the course for a Boris Deputy Mayor, really. He can hardly turn round and sack Sir Paul Stephenson, can he?
- Tom, London, UK
Will the last person to leave London please turn off the lights?
- Fresh, London
More of the same from the politicially ignorant and Boris loving cockney clowns.
- James, Manchester England
Boris is the best mayor that Londonistan has had since dick whittington, his eco friendly lifestyle and witty perceptions are a breath of fresh air after that repugnant reptile Livingstone,as for the police.........!
- Spam All Day, Canterbury Third world England
Methinks time for a Standard Poll on whether Boris or the Home Office should run the Met.
- Stephen C, London
"Because Boris has now declared himself to be in a position to make it legal to break the laws of the road."
What are you talking about now? The police don't decide what's legal.
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent
there all pratts..get some new young blood in and kick these cronies out....revoloution
- Rsaviour, london england
When organised policing was introduced by Robert Peel in 1829 Parliament was careful to ensure that responsibility for its operation was vested in the chief officer, not subject to political control and interference. The population at that time was concerned that the politically controlled Napoleonic model adopted by other nations on the mainland of Europe would be to the detriment of the British population. The Met was the first new force formed, later followed throughout the Country. British Policing became the envy of the world. Sadly political control has been gained over policing during the past 20 years, by a combination of stealth and centrally introduced targets created to address short term political interests. Next Wednesday, 9th September, the recently inaugurated independent charity, Witness Confident, will be launched, aimed at addressing the walk on by culture respecting people who witness violent crime but have no wish to become involved. The charities website will be able to be visited next week. One of Witness Confidant’s aims is establishing the reasons within the local community that lie behind this problem and lobbying locally and, where appropriate, nationally, to address issues within policing and the wider Criminal Justice System that have resulted in public disengagement from that system. Political tinkering and interference are no substitute for the historic mantra: “The police are the public and the public are the police”
- Ian Harley, Northampton, UK
Hasn't Boris got rid of nealry 15% of the police in HAvering after only one year, And he thinks he's doing a good job with crime in LAondon
- J Reid, london
Most of the comments above reflect a total lack of understanding of what political control of our police would actually mean. Democracy has established a unique form of policing in the UK envied by just about every other country in the entire world. When Boris becomes out of fashion, he will go....when an elected police becomes out of fashion....it will go! You will be sorry.
Any idiot can be elected, many are. If you want armed guards at polling stations, to fear the police even when you are very law abiding, to be subject to the whim of an extreme political wing when in trouble with your neighbour, suffer from corruption at all levels of the police then support political control. Or, you could count your bessings and thank goodness you live here now.
Keep politics out of policing...for all our sakes.
- William, East London
Don't worry, I'm sure he ran the email past the GLA before sending it?
- Bob, Cheam
"In an internal message, seen by the Standard, Sir Paul rejected the suggestion that Scotland Yard was under the control of any political party". . . Did he manage to say that with a straight face?
- Loki, Roskilde, DK
"Boris's misdemeanor of riding his cycle through a red light is hardly on a par with the shortcomings of Keith Vaz and his involvment in the Turkish dam affair"#
But it is, Pat. Because Boris has now declared himself to be in a position to make it legal to break the laws of the road, which he admits to flouting with impunity, whereas Vaz never ckaimed to make himself in charge of any governemmny decisions.
- Keith Price, Luton England
Time for Boris to sack this unelected head of the MET who is already looking worryingly like his appalling predecessor.
- Thomas, London
"I hope that Crime is his prime target"
Yes could start by fining everyine who when cycling runs red lights and cycles on the pavements of London.
Oh that's him !
- Keith Price, Luton England
"Boris can't do worse than Johnson "
He is Johnson, clown.
- Keith Price, Luton England
Who pays the London coppers wages? If it is London council tax payers then it is Boris. Tell vazeline to visit a taxidermist. He won't be where he is much longer anyway.
- Albert Hall, hove england
They say give someone enough rope and they will hang themselves. It would seem that the Tories are now busy erecting the scaffold for their drop.
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK
The Met is the body that is responsible for policing London and Boris is the Mayor for London.
- Very Very Angry At Paying Tax For Mp'S Expeses, Home Counties
Good, now Bori is n charge he can disband the political police that go around trying to turn decent law abiding members of the tax paying public in to racists for something to do. He can also cancel the racist discount "positive discrimination" all these free-loaders are looking for.
- Mike,, London
So the Mayor is finally using the power of the Common Purpose mandate.
- William, Hay~Heath UK
If the Home Office wants to run a police force, it should set up and pay for a national force of its own. London's police should be controlled by a police authority responsible to Londoners.
- Roy, England
I concur with an earlier comment about Vaz,as a general rule of thumb everything he's against I am totally in favour of,a bigger quisling would be impossible to find.
- Sick Of Most Tabloids, Canterbury European sink estate England.
Excellent, I really hope that Boris make a real difference to the lives of ordinary Londoners by his actions.
I hope that Crime is his prime target and he removes the political correctness and form filling that costs London people so much money.
- Jake, London
It's good to see the Labour sycophant, Keith Price, is still spouting the same old Labour propaganda, or has he conveniently forgotten about the dubious and downright shady dealings associated with individual Labour party politicians. Boris's misdemeanor of riding his cycle through a red light is hardly on a par with the shortcomings of Keith Vaz and his involvment in the Turkish dam affair where his evidence to the HOC was described '...as less than frank from a minister who is insensitive and discourteous..'. We havent even started examining Peter 'mendacious' Mandelson and his double dismissal as a Cabinet Minister over alleged mortgage and other financial irregularities. Windows and stones comes to mind Keith!!.
- Pat, South London
What a carve up. Blair removed for being too political? Now Johnson has got his own political cronies in.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon
Keith Price, Luton. Labour supporting delusion I suppose.
Boris can't do worse than Johnson (the invincible Home Scecretary), failed Jaqui Smith and Brown.
- G, London
I'd rather have the directly elected Mayor running the MET than the crony of an unelected, unwanted Prime Minister.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one
I thought the Police were independent albeit accountable to parliament. Now I see a fat buffoon whose real agenda is to run the country, democratically elected or not (or not probably), has wrested control.
This is tantamount to a coup d' etat isn't it? if malthouse is correct and Boris and Co have taken control of the police, contrary to the laws of the land, then surely he should be shot on site as a seditionary.
Oh please someone, do it, and while you are at it, take out every other Tory scumbag in the capital.
- Kerry, Purley
Good old Boris sort that miserable lot out.
- Richard Edmunds, Rayleigh Essex
Was it not the Labour party who encouraged members of the police force to parade pro Labour banners on police vehicles in the run up to an election?
- Andrews, Singapore
"I'd rather have BoJo in control of the MET; the Labour louts are corrupt to the hilt and now incapable of telling truth apart from lies."
Bozo in charge of anything to do with out capital city is a complete joke. Soon it will be law to run red lights, and cycle on pavements in London
- Keith Price, Luton England
Keith, if cyclists had some say in policing London they would get the Met to enforce Advance Stop Lines at major junctions, currently abused on a massive scale by drivers to the complete indifference of the police. Road traffic enforcement has been massively reduced, to the detriment of everyone except lawless motorists.
It is drivers who kill 300 Londoners and maim tens of thousands every year, not cyclists. London is the hit and run capital of Britain.
The Met is obsessed with terrorism, even though most Londonders are vastly far more at risk from drivers than suicide bombers.
- Jon, London
"His remarks, believed to have been fully backed by the Mayor, produced a robust response from the Home Office."
Apparently today's London Councils meeting, which Malthouse is not attending but Boris is, has been told by the Mayor that the Guardian article does not reflect his plans for policing in London. What a mess - again, Boris is seemingly not in charge of his underlings who are letting the power go to their heads. Malthouse is also the guy behind the Estuary Airport scheme, which has gone very quiet - the report should have been available by now. Whose name's over the door again?
By the way, people applauding this muddle of a story, do you support politicising the police or don't you? If you ever complained about Ian Blair being 'politicised' you can't welcome Malthouse politicising the Met to a far greater degree than ever before.
- Tom, London, UK
About time someone got hold of the police and made them do what the public requires of them.If Keith Vaz and Keith Price are against this then the majority of the public will be for it. Boris is doing a great job, and thankfully putting the days of Livingstone far behind us.
- Fay Mcademy, London
There is nothing wrong with locally elected politicians '..having our hands on the tiller of the MET..'. That is what democracy is all about. It gives votors and local residents a chance to say what they would like to see as the priorities of their 'local' police service. It is the norm in Constabularies and other large Metropolitan forces. Or is it only 'democratic' when Livingstone and Co are in charge. However, the MET has a national responsibilty for certain areas of policing which must remain under the control of the National Government and Home Office.
- Paul, Brixton SW
I'd rather have BoJo in control of the MET; the Labour louts are corrupt to the hilt and now incapable of telling truth apart from lies.
Roll on the election and lets finish Labour off for good.
- Thomas, London
All we need is for a cyclist who admits to running red lights and cycling on the pavements of London to be out in charge of policing the same city. This is an outrageous action, but typical of Boris' quirky character
- Keith Price, Luton England
Glad to hear Boris is in charge. Now we can get down to making London safer rather than appeasing our New Liebour Masters and carrying the can for all their politically correct nonsense that gets in the way of proper policing.
- Lord Wallington, Wallington, London
If the horrible Keith Vaz doesn't like it then I'm all for it. Go Boris!
- Stephen, London, England
