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Stephenson to become new Met boss Stephenson to become new Met boss
(about 5 hours later)
Sir Paul Stephenson is to become the new Metropolitan Police Commissioner, BBC News understands.Sir Paul Stephenson is to become the new Metropolitan Police Commissioner, BBC News understands.
Sir Paul, 55, who was deputy to the previous chief Sir Ian Blair, was chosen ahead of Sir Hugh Orde, the Chief Constable for Northern Ireland.Sir Paul, 55, who was deputy to the previous chief Sir Ian Blair, was chosen ahead of Sir Hugh Orde, the Chief Constable for Northern Ireland.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith made the decision but conducted interviews with London Mayor Boris Johnson, whose backing the new chief requires.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith made the decision but conducted interviews with London Mayor Boris Johnson, whose backing the new chief requires.
Sir Ian quit as Met chief, saying he did not have the mayor's support.Sir Ian quit as Met chief, saying he did not have the mayor's support.
His tenure, which began in February 2005, had seen a number of controversies including the fatal shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, mistaken for a suicide bomber.His tenure, which began in February 2005, had seen a number of controversies including the fatal shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, mistaken for a suicide bomber.
Sir Paul, who had been deputy for four years, took over as acting commissioner when his former boss stepped down in December. The Home Office had been so keen to keep it under wraps it physically drove the letter confirming Sir Paul's appointment round to the Queen for her to sign David Thompson, BBC News Profile: New Met chiefSir Paul, who had been deputy for four years, took over as acting commissioner when his former boss stepped down in December. The Home Office had been so keen to keep it under wraps it physically drove the letter confirming Sir Paul's appointment round to the Queen for her to sign David Thompson, BBC News Profile: New Met chief
Days later, he faced tough questions in the wake of the arrest of Tory frontbencher Damian Green by officers investigating leaks from the Home Office. Days later, he faced tough questions after the arrest of Tory frontbencher Damian Green by officers investigating leaks from the Home Office.
The resulting furore put Sir Paul into the media spotlight and left politicians outraged at the search of the MP's Commons office.The resulting furore put Sir Paul into the media spotlight and left politicians outraged at the search of the MP's Commons office.
BBC political correspondent David Thompson said Sir Paul's appointment was due to have been announced on Wednesday. But BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Savage said it is understood his handling of the arrest worked in his favour during the selection process.
He said: "The Home Office had been so keen to keep it under wraps it physically drove the letter confirming Sir Paul's appointment round to the Queen for her to sign." He said the episode showed Sir Paul was prepared to stand up for officers who took a difficult decision, rather than pass the buck.
Our correspondent added: "Sir Paul is described as a gritty, no nonsense copper, who likes an argument."
His new role at Scotland Yard commands a £253,000 salary and combines regional and national responsibilities.His new role at Scotland Yard commands a £253,000 salary and combines regional and national responsibilities.
Leading a staff of more than 50,000 and overseeing a £3.5bn budget, Sir Paul will be expected to continue the fight against terrorism, lead police strategy nationwide and secure the 2012 Olympic Games.Leading a staff of more than 50,000 and overseeing a £3.5bn budget, Sir Paul will be expected to continue the fight against terrorism, lead police strategy nationwide and secure the 2012 Olympic Games.
Distinguished careers
The two final candidates for the vacated position had been seen as evenly matched.The two final candidates for the vacated position had been seen as evenly matched.
Both men have distinguished careers spanning more than 30 years, counter-terrorism experience, and perform well in the spotlight.Both men have distinguished careers spanning more than 30 years, counter-terrorism experience, and perform well in the spotlight.
Sir Hugh began his career with the Met in 1977 and was deputy assistant commissioner when he left in 2002 to take on the job as head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).Sir Hugh began his career with the Met in 1977 and was deputy assistant commissioner when he left in 2002 to take on the job as head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Modernisation
Two other contenders, chief constables Sir Paul Scott-Lee, of the West Midlands force, and Bernard Hogan-Howe, from Merseyside, had earlier been eliminated from the running.Two other contenders, chief constables Sir Paul Scott-Lee, of the West Midlands force, and Bernard Hogan-Howe, from Merseyside, had earlier been eliminated from the running.
Sir Paul Stephenson started out with Lancashire Constabulary in 1975 and, after becoming a superintendent, spent time with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.Sir Paul Stephenson started out with Lancashire Constabulary in 1975 and, after becoming a superintendent, spent time with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
In 1994 he was appointed assistant chief constable of Merseyside before moving to Lancashire, where he became chief constable in 2002.In 1994 he was appointed assistant chief constable of Merseyside before moving to Lancashire, where he became chief constable in 2002.
In February 2005, he moved to the Met, to fill Sir Ian's role when he stepped up to the top job.In February 2005, he moved to the Met, to fill Sir Ian's role when he stepped up to the top job.
So far his role has included the oversight of strategy, modernisation and performance.So far his role has included the oversight of strategy, modernisation and performance.
Sir Paul was awarded the Queen's Policing Medal for services to policing in May 2000 and received a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours List last June.Sir Paul was awarded the Queen's Policing Medal for services to policing in May 2000 and received a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours List last June.