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Britain's top policeman resigns Britain's top policeman resigns
(10 minutes later)
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has announced his resignation, blaming a lack of support from London mayor Boris Johnson.Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has announced his resignation, blaming a lack of support from London mayor Boris Johnson.
Sir Ian has faced controversies in the job but said he was not stepping down on 1 December because of any failures.Sir Ian has faced controversies in the job but said he was not stepping down on 1 December because of any failures.
Mr Johnson, who took over as chairman of the police authority on Wednesday, praised his service but said the Met would benefit from "new leadership".Mr Johnson, who took over as chairman of the police authority on Wednesday, praised his service but said the Met would benefit from "new leadership".
The prime minister said he had made a "huge" contribution to the UK's safety.The prime minister said he had made a "huge" contribution to the UK's safety.
Gordon Brown went on to pay tribute to Sir Ian's leadership at the time of the July 2005 suicide bomb attacks on London's transport system. Gordon Brown went on to pay commend Sir Ian's leadership at the time of the July 2005 suicide bomb attacks on London's transport system.
HOME SECRETARY'S LETTERS Jacqui Smith's letter to Sir Ian Blair [40KB]Jacqui Smith's letter to Mayor Boris Johnson [48KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereHOME SECRETARY'S LETTERS Jacqui Smith's letter to Sir Ian Blair [40KB]Jacqui Smith's letter to Mayor Boris Johnson [48KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said deputy commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson would take over as acting head of the Met should no successor be found by 1 December. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said added: "I pay tribute to Sir Ian for the massive reductions in crime that his leadership of the Met has overseen and his continuing efforts to tackle gun, gang and knife crime.
Ms Smith added: "I pay tribute to Sir Ian for the massive reductions in crime that his leadership of the Met has overseen and his continuing efforts to tackle gun, gang and knife crime.
"His part in leading neighbourhood policing across London has led to Londoners being safer and more confident.""His part in leading neighbourhood policing across London has led to Londoners being safer and more confident."
Mr Johnson, who has avoided publicly backing Sir Ian since being elected Conservative Party mayor in May, had called for the commissioner to be directly accountable to City Hall.Mr Johnson, who has avoided publicly backing Sir Ian since being elected Conservative Party mayor in May, had called for the commissioner to be directly accountable to City Hall.
Speaking after Sir Ian's resignation, the mayor said: "There comes a time in any organisation when it becomes clear it would benefit from new leadership and clarity of purpose. I believe that time is now."Speaking after Sir Ian's resignation, the mayor said: "There comes a time in any organisation when it becomes clear it would benefit from new leadership and clarity of purpose. I believe that time is now."
'No secrets''No secrets'
Tasked with modernising Britain's biggest police force, Sir Ian's tenure started confidently with reforms including community support officers, neighbourhood police, and a more diverse workforce.Tasked with modernising Britain's biggest police force, Sir Ian's tenure started confidently with reforms including community support officers, neighbourhood police, and a more diverse workforce.
The new mayor made clear, in a very pleasant and determined way, that he wished there to be a change of leadership Sir Ian Blair Resignation statement in fullReaction to decisionThe new mayor made clear, in a very pleasant and determined way, that he wished there to be a change of leadership Sir Ian Blair Resignation statement in fullReaction to decision
But some senior officers disliked his close relationship with Downing Street when Tony Blair was prime minister and his leadership style.But some senior officers disliked his close relationship with Downing Street when Tony Blair was prime minister and his leadership style.
There were questions about his handling of events surrounding the 2005 death of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot dead at Stockwell Underground station in south London after being mistaken for a suicide bomber.There were questions about his handling of events surrounding the 2005 death of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot dead at Stockwell Underground station in south London after being mistaken for a suicide bomber.
The Met Police were later convicted of a health and safety offence over the incident.The Met Police were later convicted of a health and safety offence over the incident.
Sir Ian also was criticised after publicly questioning why the murders of two girls, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire in 2002, had been such a big story in the media.Sir Ian also was criticised after publicly questioning why the murders of two girls, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire in 2002, had been such a big story in the media.
It later emerged he had recorded a telephone conversation with the attorney general without asking his permission.It later emerged he had recorded a telephone conversation with the attorney general without asking his permission.
In 2006, in the course of arresting two brothers who were later cleared of any involvement in terrorism, armed Met officers shot and injured one of them.In 2006, in the course of arresting two brothers who were later cleared of any involvement in terrorism, armed Met officers shot and injured one of them.
Recently, Sir Ian has faced criticism over the racism row involving the Met's most senior Asian officer Tarique Ghaffur.Recently, Sir Ian has faced criticism over the racism row involving the Met's most senior Asian officer Tarique Ghaffur.
And Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) auditors are in the process of examining Scotland Yard contracts given to consultancy firm Impact Plus, run by a friend.And Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) auditors are in the process of examining Scotland Yard contracts given to consultancy firm Impact Plus, run by a friend.
Boris Johnson says a new start for policing in London is neededBoris Johnson says a new start for policing in London is needed
Sir Ian has said he had been "open and straightforward in informing both the MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] and the MPA about my relationship with someone who was subsequently awarded a contract with the MPS".Sir Ian has said he had been "open and straightforward in informing both the MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] and the MPA about my relationship with someone who was subsequently awarded a contract with the MPS".
Sir Ian, whose contract was due to run until 2010, defended his record as he announced his resignation at Scotland Yard.Sir Ian, whose contract was due to run until 2010, defended his record as he announced his resignation at Scotland Yard.
"I am resigning not because of any failures of my service and not because the pressures of the office and the many stories that surround it are too much."I am resigning not because of any failures of my service and not because the pressures of the office and the many stories that surround it are too much.
"I am resigning in the best interests of the people of London and of the Metropolitan Police Service.""I am resigning in the best interests of the people of London and of the Metropolitan Police Service."
Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said Sir Ian had taken the "right decision" in standing down.Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said Sir Ian had taken the "right decision" in standing down.
"We have been calling for Sir Ian to step down for almost a year - since the serial and systematic failings at the Metropolitan Police [service] disclosed during the de Menezes trial - whilst cabinet ministers from the PM onwards continued to express total confidence in him."
HAVE YOUR SAYIt's a very difficult job, and I don't believe that he did badly, but he needs to goNic Brough, LondonSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYIt's a very difficult job, and I don't believe that he did badly, but he needs to goNic Brough, LondonSend us your comments
Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "His resignation is long overdue following a string of embarrassments for his force... the Met now needs a tough professional, not a wannabe politician." Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said the resignation was "long overdue".
The former London mayor Ken Livingstone said the resignation appeared to make the role of the commissioner more political.The former London mayor Ken Livingstone said the resignation appeared to make the role of the commissioner more political.
"Whoever is now appointed to replace Sir Ian Blair will know that there's a precedent that an incoming mayor feels they've got the right to change the commissioner of police," he said."Whoever is now appointed to replace Sir Ian Blair will know that there's a precedent that an incoming mayor feels they've got the right to change the commissioner of police," he said.
Erionaldo da Silva, speaking for the de Menezes family, said Sir Ian should have resigned three years ago and the decision to do so now should not deflect attention from Jean Charles' ongoing inquest.Erionaldo da Silva, speaking for the de Menezes family, said Sir Ian should have resigned three years ago and the decision to do so now should not deflect attention from Jean Charles' ongoing inquest.
The Met Police Authority and the Home Office will now draw up a shortlist for interviews for Sir Ian's successor. The Home Office and the Metropolitan Police Authority will draw up a shortlist for Sir Ian's successor.
The Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank and file police officers in the capital, said it was looking forward to building a "positive and constructive relationship" with Sir Ian's successor. Met Deputy commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson will take over as acting head should no candidate be appointed by the time Sir Ian leaves.
Sir Edward Henry was the last commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to quit in 1918. His departure came after the hugely damaging police strike of that year, the last time officers were allowed to walk out. The Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank and file police officers, said it was looking forward to building a "positive and constructive relationship" with the new chief.
Sir Edward Henry was the last commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to quit in 1918, following a damaging police strike, the last time officers were allowed to walk out.