Blow for Priti as front-runner to take over from Cressida at the Met pulls out

PRITI Patel’s preferred candidate to become the next Scotland Yard chief dramatically pulled out of the race yesterday.

Dame Lynne Owens, former National Crime Agency (NCA) director-general, had been seen as a front-runner to succeed Dame Cressida Dick as Met Police commissioner after winning the approval of the both Home Secretary and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Dame Lynne, 53, had indicated in March that she was considering applying for the job after recovering from breast cancer. But just 2 hours before the deadline for applications today, she announced she will not run for Britain’s top policing job.

The decision will concern Home Office officials, who have been quietly urging chief constables to apply amid fears the acrimonious departure of Dame Cressida – forced out by Mr Khan in February following a series of scandals in the Met – could deter candidates.

Yesterday a source said: ‘It’s fair to say people have been put off the role. Some senior policing figures have been saying informally, “why would I apply for it when the mayor has treated one of our colleagues like that”.’

Sir Mark Rowley, a former head of UK counter-terrorism policing who lost out to Dame Cressida for the role in 2017, is now thought to be a leading contender.