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Met chief Sir Ian Blair resigns Met chief Sir Ian Blair resigns
(10 minutes later)
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has announced his resignation after three years in the job.Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has announced his resignation after three years in the job.
He said London mayor Boris Johnson, who took over as chairman of the police authority on Wednesday, had told him he wanted a "change in leadership".He said London mayor Boris Johnson, who took over as chairman of the police authority on Wednesday, had told him he wanted a "change in leadership".
Sir Ian said he would stand down on 1 December "in the best interests of the people of London and the Metropolitan Police Service". Sir Ian said that "without the mayor's backing I do not think I can continue in the job".
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said he can be "proud" of his contribution. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said deputy commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson will take over as acting head of the Met.
She said deputy commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson will take over as acting head of the Met until a permanent successor can be found.
Sir Ian told a Scotland Yard new conference: "Without the mayor's backing I do not think I can continue in the job."
Sir Ian has faced criticism over the racism row involving the Met's most senior Asian officer Tarique Ghaffur.Sir Ian has faced criticism over the racism row involving the Met's most senior Asian officer Tarique Ghaffur.
There have also been questions about his handling of events surrounding the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.There have also been questions about his handling of events surrounding the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes.
The Brazilian was shot on the London Underground in July 2005 by police marksmen, who had mistaken him for a suicide bomber.The Brazilian was shot on the London Underground in July 2005 by police marksmen, who had mistaken him for a suicide bomber.
Sir Ian has denied any wrongdoing over an inquiry into the use of public money to pay a close friend to advise him.Sir Ian has denied any wrongdoing over an inquiry into the use of public money to pay a close friend to advise him.