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Met commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe to retire Met commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe to retire
(35 minutes later)
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe is to retire after five years as the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, the force has announced.Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe is to retire after five years as the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, the force has announced.
Sir Bernard, who was appointed to the role in September 2011, will remain in post until February to allow for his successor to be appointed.Sir Bernard, who was appointed to the role in September 2011, will remain in post until February to allow for his successor to be appointed.
During his time in charge, he oversaw policing of the London riots and the Olympic Games.During his time in charge, he oversaw policing of the London riots and the Olympic Games.
Sir Bernard said it had been a "great privilege" to serve as commissioner.Sir Bernard said it had been a "great privilege" to serve as commissioner.
"I have loved my time in the role and I have loved being a police officer," he said."I have loved my time in the role and I have loved being a police officer," he said.
"It's the most rewarding of jobs to protect good people and lock up the bad guys.""It's the most rewarding of jobs to protect good people and lock up the bad guys."
According to the Met, crime has fallen by around 18% during the time Sir Bernard has been in post.According to the Met, crime has fallen by around 18% during the time Sir Bernard has been in post.
He led the police's response after the London riots in 2011 and the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in 2013.He led the police's response after the London riots in 2011 and the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in 2013.
However, he has also faced controversy including questions about the Met's handling of Operation Midland, its inquiry into allegations of historical abuse involving high profile public figures.However, he has also faced controversy including questions about the Met's handling of Operation Midland, its inquiry into allegations of historical abuse involving high profile public figures.
A 16-month investigation was launched after claims boys were sexually abused more than 30 years ago, but it closed in March without a single arrest.A 16-month investigation was launched after claims boys were sexually abused more than 30 years ago, but it closed in March without a single arrest.
Analysis: Danny Shaw, Home Affairs correspondentAnalysis: Danny Shaw, Home Affairs correspondent
The timing of Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe's retirement is odd.The timing of Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe's retirement is odd.
He initially wanted a three-year extension to his five-year contract which expires this month. In January it was announced that it would be given a one-year extension, to September 2017.He initially wanted a three-year extension to his five-year contract which expires this month. In January it was announced that it would be given a one-year extension, to September 2017.
There have been unconfirmed reports of tensions between Sir Bernard and London's new mayor, Sadiq Khan.There have been unconfirmed reports of tensions between Sir Bernard and London's new mayor, Sadiq Khan.
Last week, Sir Bernard and the Deputy Mayor for Policing, Sophie Linden, faced repeated questioning at City Hall as to whether the mayor had confidence in the commissioner.Last week, Sir Bernard and the Deputy Mayor for Policing, Sophie Linden, faced repeated questioning at City Hall as to whether the mayor had confidence in the commissioner.
It is possible that Sir Bernard was made aware that a new commissioner would be sought in September and Sir Bernard decided to go early, rather than be forced out.It is possible that Sir Bernard was made aware that a new commissioner would be sought in September and Sir Bernard decided to go early, rather than be forced out.
There's also speculation his resignation is linked to a review into the Met's handling of Operation Midland, the inquiry into allegations of a paedophile ring at Westminster.There's also speculation his resignation is linked to a review into the Met's handling of Operation Midland, the inquiry into allegations of a paedophile ring at Westminster.
Sir Bernard has a meeting pencilled in with Sir Richard Henriques, who is leading the review, next Thursday. The Met will not say if it has received the report or been told of its findings yet.Sir Bernard has a meeting pencilled in with Sir Richard Henriques, who is leading the review, next Thursday. The Met will not say if it has received the report or been told of its findings yet.
The other possibility - hinted at in an interview on LBC [radio station] this morning - is that Sir Bernard has another job or opportunity that he wanted to take up sooner rather than later.The other possibility - hinted at in an interview on LBC [radio station] this morning - is that Sir Bernard has another job or opportunity that he wanted to take up sooner rather than later.
The commissioner had been expected to remain in the role until at least September next year after then-Home Secretary Theresa May recommended the Queen approve a 12-month extension to his contract which was due to expire this month. Sir Bernard took charge of the UK's biggest police force after his predecessor Sir Paul Stephenson quit amid criticism of the Met's role in the phone-hacking scandal.
As commissioner the Sheffield-born former traffic officer led more than 50,000 staff including 32,000 officers.
He was awarded a knighthood in the 2013 New Year Honours list.
Sir Bernard had been expected to remain in the role until at least September next year after then-Home Secretary Theresa May recommended the Queen approve a 12-month extension to his contract which was due to expire this month.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd called Sir Bernard a "determined crime fighter and an inspirational senior officer".Home Secretary Amber Rudd called Sir Bernard a "determined crime fighter and an inspirational senior officer".
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan thanked him "for his years of service and dedication to keeping Londoners safe".Mayor of London Sadiq Khan thanked him "for his years of service and dedication to keeping Londoners safe".
Key appointmentsKey appointments