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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Mayor quits police authority role | Mayor quits police authority role |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| London Mayor Boris Johnson has said he is stepping down as the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA). | London Mayor Boris Johnson has said he is stepping down as the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA). |
| It is believed he made the decision because he was finding it difficult to devote enough time to the job. | It is believed he made the decision because he was finding it difficult to devote enough time to the job. |
| The law was changed in 2008 to allow the mayor to head the MPA. The current MPA vice chairman Kit Malthouse will replace him. | The law was changed in 2008 to allow the mayor to head the MPA. The current MPA vice chairman Kit Malthouse will replace him. |
| When he was elected, Mr Johnson said he would personally take charge of the police to tackle crime in the capital. | When he was elected, Mr Johnson said he would personally take charge of the police to tackle crime in the capital. |
| The mayor will formally announce his resignation at City Hall later. | |
| Mr Johnson's time as chairman has been marked by a series of controversies. | |
| Boris said the mayor should be directly accountable for crime but just as he plans to slash police numbers and funding he cuts and runs Joanne McCartney, Labour spokesperson | |
| In October 2008, the previous Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair announced he was stepping down from his post because of a lack of support from the mayor. | In October 2008, the previous Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair announced he was stepping down from his post because of a lack of support from the mayor. |
| His announcement came soon after Mr Johnson took his post as the head of the MPA. At an MPA meeting the mayor said the force needed "new leadership". | |
| Sir Ian's resignation led to an outcry among senior police officers and the mayor was accused of "crossing the line" in political interference. | Sir Ian's resignation led to an outcry among senior police officers and the mayor was accused of "crossing the line" in political interference. |
| Mr Johnson was also accused of abusing his position after admitting he contacted Tory shadow immigration minister Damian Green after his arrest on suspicion of leaking sensitive Home Office documents. | Mr Johnson was also accused of abusing his position after admitting he contacted Tory shadow immigration minister Damian Green after his arrest on suspicion of leaking sensitive Home Office documents. |
| Mr Johnson was briefed on the arrest by the Met in his capacity as chairman of the MPA. | Mr Johnson was briefed on the arrest by the Met in his capacity as chairman of the MPA. |
| An independent report into the arrest also criticised the mayor's actions and the chairman of the Home Affairs Select committee Keith Vaz criticised him for being unhelpful to their inquiry into the circumstances of the arrest. | An independent report into the arrest also criticised the mayor's actions and the chairman of the Home Affairs Select committee Keith Vaz criticised him for being unhelpful to their inquiry into the circumstances of the arrest. |
| 'Cuts and runs' | |
| Joanne McCartney, Labour's policing spokeswoman, said: "Boris said the mayor should be directly accountable for crime but just as he plans to slash police numbers and funding, he cuts and runs. | |
| "It wasn't long ago the Tories were claiming Boris would be their first elected commissioner but now it looks as though he's going to send someone without the mandate of Londoners in to do his dirty work." | |
| Dee Doocey, the Liberal Democrat policing spokeswoman, said: "This is welcome news as the mayor has never been on top of this incredibly important job. | |
| "I just hope that, unlike Boris Johnson, Kit Malthouse actually reads and understands the Met's budget and then sets out to immediately reverse the damaging cuts in police numbers which the mayor has for so long denied." |