The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Met body: ‘No faith in Khan’
The Metropolitan Police Federation has declared it has “no faith” in London Mayor Sadiq Khan after the “very public ousting” of Dame Cressida Dick as commissioner.
The body, which represents more than 31,000 rank-and-file police officers, claimed comments made by Mr Khan have “undermined the professional, dedicated and incredibly difficult work of tens of thousands of hardworking and brave police officers from across the capital”.
It comes after Dame Cressida dramatically quit the role on Thursday night after Mr Khan had made it clear he had no confidence in her plans to reform the service.
Accusing politicians of using “policing and the career of the country’s most senior police leader to deflect from their own failings”, Ken Marsh, chairman of the body, said: “This is not a move we take lightly.
“We have let the mayor’s office know in no uncertain terms how our brave and diligent colleagues deserve better.
“The atmosphere among Metropolitan Police officers
is horrendous – it’s rock bottom.
“Officers in London feel saddened and angry that the commissioner, Cressida Dick, has been pushed out in the way she has.
“She was reforming. She was changing. The culture is changing. We are deeply disappointed with the actions of the mayor.
“The federation will continue to speak up for these courageous colleagues. They are being forgotten about by our elected mayor. Enough is enough. Officers have no faith in Sadiq Khan,” he added.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson paid tribute to Dame Cressida’s “remarkable” career.
Asked for his view on Mr Khan’s role in forcing her out, and for confirmation that as a prime minister under investigation by the police he would play no part in choosing her successor, Mr Johnson said: “I think the best thing I can say about Cressida Dick is that I think over many, many years – I’ve known her for many years – she has played a remarkable role as the first female head of the Metropolitan Police.
“I thank her for all her service. It goes back a long time. I wouldn’t want any other issues to cloud what I think, overall, is a very considerable record of public service.”
It is understood it could take several months to find and appoint Dame Cressida’s successor but the recruitment process is expected to be completed by the summer.
During that time it is anticipated Scotland Yard may have concluded its probe into allegations of lockdown-breaking parties at Downing Street.
Last week Home Secretary Priti Patel warned that the new Met chief must be prepared to tackle the “policing culture” that has left the UK’S biggest force reeling from a series of scandals.