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       Cressida Dick says Sadiq Khan 'left her no other choice but to resign'

       The home secretary and the mayor of London have clashed over the departure of Dame Cressida Dick after she was forced out as Metropolitan Police commissioner.

       Dame Cressida quit after losing the support of Sadiq Khan over her plan to reform the Met following a string of scandals and accusations of a toxic working culture.

       It is understood the beleaguered Met chief was called to a meeting with the mayor yesterday afternoon over the reforms but declined to attend and offered her resignation instead – catching the Home Office by surprise.

       It is understood Mr Khan did not inform Priti Patel he had requested a meeting with the commissioner.

       According to Home Office sources, Ms Patel was not impressed by this and thought it was “rude and unprofessional”.

       Ms Patel has the final say on the next appointment, but the process requires her to consult Mr Khan as mayor.

       He said he would be “working closely” with the home secretary to find a successor.

       Recommended Dame Cressida Dick and the Mayor of London’s statements in full Cressida Dick resigns as Metropolitan Police chief Critics delighted and supporters saddened as Dame Cressida Dick resigns

       Key Points Metropolitan Police chief Cressida Dick stands down ‘Good riddance’: Cressida Dick’s resignation sparks polarised reactions Who are the contenders to replace Cressida Dick as Met Police commissioner? Scandals the Metropolitan Police has faced under Cressida Dick’s leadership ‘He left me no choice’: Cressida Dick’s resignation statement in full Partygate: ‘Some, not all, No 10 staff will receive fines,’ says Met Watch: PM refuses to answer questions about police questionnaire

       Show latest update 1644575121 Next Met Commissioner ‘must be able to listen to victims’

       Dame Cressida Dick’s resignation has continued to spark reaction and recollections of past scandals at the Metropolitan Police.

       Harriet Wistrich, director of Centre for Women’s Justice, said her response to the murder of Sarah Everard and “shocking levels of sexual violence and abuse by police officers” had been inadequate.

       Ms Wistrich was previously the solicitor for the family of Jean Charles de Menezes, an innocent man who was shot dead in the wake of the 2005 London bombings in an operation headed by the future commissioner.

       She said: “As solicitor for the de Menezes family, I watched as Cressida Dick, in charge of the operation which led to the shooting of a wholly innocent man, survived and thrived.

       “She rose to the top of the Met, only to preside over an institution where misogynists, racists and homophobes can hold on to their jobs when they are meant to be tackling crime.

       “The problem with Cressida as the first female to rise to the top of the most difficult job in policing, is that in order to do so she had to put loyalty to her officers above all else.”

       Ms Wistrich said the next commissioner “must be able to listen to victims and be prepared to tackle the culture of misogyny and racism that pervades the underbelly of Met policing”.

       Laurie Churchman 11 February 2022 10:25

       1644573621 Former Met Police Commissioner on replacing Cressida Dick

       A former Metropolitan Police Commissioner has said the force should be “casting the net as wide as possible” in the search to replace Cressida Dick.

       Dame Cressida is due to leave once a replacement has been found.

       Sir Paul Stephenson, who led the force from 2009 to 2011, told LBC: “We should be casting the net as wide as possible to find the best possible person and I would not constrict that, not in any way shape or form.”

       He added this included anyone who was eligible to apply, even from outside policing.

       Laurie Churchman 11 February 2022 10:00

       1644571821 Sadiq Khan accused of leaving a ‘void’ at top of Met

       London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been accused of leaving a “void” at the top of the country’s biggest police force after Dame Cressida Dick was dramatically forced out as Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

       Susan Hall, the Conservative chairwoman of the London Assembly’s police and crime committee, argued Dame Cressida’s chaotic departure had been handled “extremely badly” by the Mayor.

       “Confidence in the police at the moment is at an all-time low and this won’t help,” she told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4.

       “Ninety-nine per cent of officers are very good, brave officers. They need confidence, they need support, and to have done this in this way, I think Sadiq Khan is completely wrong.

       “It will leave a void at the top as opposed to a properly managed handover, which is no way to run a service like this.”

       You can read the full story below.

       Mayor faces backlash over ousting of Scotland Yard chief Cressida Dick Dame Cressida’s departure leave a ‘void’ at the top of the Met, the London Assembly police and crime committee chairwoman warned.

       Laurie Churchman 11 February 2022 09:30

       1644569909 Party probe ‘will not be affected by the role at the top of the Met'

       The Metropolitan Police probe into Downing Street lockdown parties will not be affected by Cressida Dick’s departure, department for transport minister Robert Courts has insisted.

       He said detectives will carry on investigating “in a way that is independent - that will not be affected by the role at the top of the Met.”

       Ashley Cowburn has the full story below.

       Dick’s resignation will ‘not affect’ Met police No 10 parties probe , minister says Resignation comes as police prepare to contact over 50 individuals in No 10 and Whitehall

       Laurie Churchman 11 February 2022 08:58

       1644569275 Partygate investigation will ‘not be affected’ by Cressida Dick’s departure

       The police investigation into allegations of Downing Street Covid rule-breaking parties will “not be affected” by the change of Met chief, according to a government minister.

       Asked what Dame Cressida Dick’s removal meant for the Partygate inquiry, Department for Transport minister Robert Courts told Sky News: “Police are very used to handling matters where there are different parties involved.

       “They are totally independent and I have absolute confidence in their ability to operationally carry out an investigation.

       “So they will do that and they will do that in a way that is independent - that will not be affected by the role at the top of the Met.”

       Laurie Churchman 11 February 2022 08:47

       1644568740 Who are the contenders to replace Cressida Dick?

       Speculation has already begun about who will replace Dame Cressida Dick as the Metropolitan Police commissioner.

       Dame Cressida announced yesterday that she would be stepping down after losing the backing of London mayor Sadiq Khan.

       It follows a series of scandals during her tenure leading Britain’s biggest police force.

       With no clear frontrunner to replace the outgoing commissioner, here’s a look at some of the likely candidates.

       Who are the contenders to replace Cressida Dick as Met Police commissioner? With no clear frontrunner to replace Dame Cressida, here is a look at some of the likely options

       Laurie Churchman 11 February 2022 08:39

       1644566704 ‘Good riddance’: Cressida Dick’s resignation sparks polarised reactions

       Dame Cressida Dick’s resignation as commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has sparked polarised reactions.

       Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the outgoing commissioner for serving with “great dedication and distinction over many decades”.

       “I thank her for her role protecting the public and making our streets safer,” he tweeted.

       Campaign group Reclaim These Streets, which is bringing a legal challenge against the force over its handling of a Sarah Everard vigil, simply tweeted: “Good Riddance.”

       Meanwhile Labour MP Dawn Butler tweeted: “I said Cressida Dick had to go.

       “I’m now pleased Mayor of London has accepted her resignation.

       “The replacement must be committed to serious reform and building trust back into the Met.”

       Laurie Churchman 11 February 2022 08:05

       1644561954 ICYMI | Tory minister rants about ‘democracy’ when asked about PM

       Conservative minister Suella Braverman launched into a bizarre rant about “honouring democracy” after she was asked whether prime minister Boris Johnson would face consequences for allegedly breaking the law during the Covid-19 lockdown.

       Responding to Labour member Rupa Huq’s question, Ms Braverman said: “The Prime Minister has made his position clear. I’m not going to add any more in light of the live police investigation”.

       She added: “But she mentioned the rule of law and I would just say that fundamental to the rule of law is also democracy: and I’m very proud to be supporting this prime minister, a prime minister who’s honoured democracy by delivering Brexit”.

       Jon Stone has more.

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       Tory minister goes on bizarre rant about 'honouring democracy' over Partygate

       Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 11 February 2022 06:45

       1644560802 Photo leaks ‘designed’ to bring down PM, minister suggests

       Prime minister Boris Johnson’s enemies are plotting to bring him down with a “constant” leak of Downing Street party photos, cabinet minister Ben Wallace has suggested.

       “The constant leaking is clearly designed for a purpose,” Mr Wallace told Times Radio.

       He said: “Yes, there could be a photograph tomorrow, the next day or the day after – that’s clearly what’s behind some of the people’s motives”.

       Adam Forrest reports.

       Party photo leaks ‘designed’ to bring Boris Johnson down, minister suggests ‘The constant leaking is clearly designed for a purpose’, says defence secretary

       Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 11 February 2022 06:26

       1644558184 Partygate: Johnson to get private lawyer

       Prime minister Boris Johnson will appoint a private lawyer if he is questioned by the police over allegations that flouted lockdown rules by attending parties.

       Mr Johnson has lined up a legal expert on coronavirus regulations to help him defend his participation in the parties, The Times reported.

       The move comes shortly after Scotland Yard that officers would be contacting more than 50 people, who will be sent questionnaires with “formal legal status” over the dozen events held in No 10 and Whitehall buildings during Covid restrictions.

       The prime minister, who reportedly attended six of those parties being investigated by the Metropolitan Police, is expected to be among them.

       Earlier, No 10 said the prime minister will not receive personal legal advice from government lawyers.

       Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 11 February 2022 05:43

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