Sir Ian: Boris forced me out

Thursday, 2 October 2008 6:03 PM

Metropolitan police commissioner Sir Ian Blair has resigned, citing friction between himself and London mayor Boris Johnson.

"Without the mayor's backing I do not consider I can work effectively," he said.

He described being commissioner as the "proudest time of my life" and said his decision was not based on "any failures".

Sir Paul Stephenson, currently deputy commissioner, will take over the role in a care-taking capacity until a successor is names, but home secretary Jacqui Smith said she had already begun the process of seeking a replacement.

In a statement to the media, she also said she regretted accepted his resignation.

"Sir Ian can be proud of his controbution locally and nationally," she continued.

"Sir Ian has always had my support."

Mr Johnson, in a statement this afternoon, said: "There comes a time in any organisation when it becomes clear it would benefit from new leadership."

Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve made a similar statement.

"This is the right decision," he said.

"We have been calling for Sir Ian to step down for almost a year - since the serial and systematic failings at the metropolitan police disclosed during the De Menezes trial - whilst Cabinet ministers from the PM onwards continued to express total confidence in him."

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne also welcomed the resignation.

"Sir Ian Blair had become part of the Met's problem, not its solution.

"His resignation is long overdue following a string of embarrassments for his force, including contracts given to friends, the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, accusations of racism causing chaos at senior levels and the politicisation of his role during the debates on detention for terrorist suspects."

But prime minister Gordon Brown praised the former commissioner.

"Sir Ian Blair has made a huge positive contribution to safety in this country," he said.

"I congratulate him and his officers and I want to pay particular tribute to his leadership when Britain experienced terrorist attacks on its soil."

The statement followed allegations the Met chief used public money to pay a close friend to improve his image.

Sir Ian's three-and-a-half years in the top position have been blighted by controversy.

He received considerable criticism for his handling of the shooting of Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell tube station in July 2005.

A new inquiry into the shooting opened at the Oval cricket ground last month.

He has also been criticised by his own staff and Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur was temporarily relieved of his duties after holding a press conference outlining his racial complaints against the Met.

Mr Johnson is due to chair his first meeting on Monday and was keen on ousting Sir Ian.

He is due to make a speech on Sir Ian's announcement outside City Hall at 16:30 BST

Tags:
• police
,
• policing and crime
,
• public services