The mainstream media are reporting that the scandal ridden Metropolitan Police chief, Sir Ian Blair (technically the "Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis") is expected to announce his resignation this afternoon.
How long he will hang on as a "lame duck" is open to question.
Who will his replacement be ?
What sinecure will Sir Ian be rewarded with by his Labour politician friends ?
Hopefully not the forthcoming appointment of a National Identity Scheme Commissioner (see NO2ID Campaign, or the future replacement for the Director General of the Serious Organised Crime Agency i.e. Sir Stephen Lander, the former DG of MI5 the Security Service) etc.
He has now resigned but seems to be staying in until 1st December, to allow the appointment of a successor.
Jacqui Smith has stated that Sir Paul Stephenson, the Deputy Commissioner, will be the Acting Commissioner until the job is filled (possibly even by him)
Sir Hugh Orde, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland is being mentioned as a possible front runner for the job.
Thank you Boris for making Sir Ian Blair realise that he is not wanted as the Met Commissioner.
Personally think of course we want to have a political appointee to this position. We want some one who is accountable to the people of London. If we elect a new mayor then we should also elect our snr police officers as far as I am concerned both for London and locally.
All high ranking public appointments should be subject to election. Chief officers of the local authority and senior civile servants should step down at each election. Otherwise there is no democracy as I have seen over my 57 years of life on this planet, when you change government you just more of the same.
I say this from personal experience of working as a local government officer at the lower levels This is because the snr officers of the organisations find ways of continuing their own regime not the policy's of the elected representatives. As chosen by the will of the people thats why change is painful and slow and the population feels disenfranchised and the numbers that vote are low.
Its a now famous old saying “It matters little who you vote for the government gets in. “ In reality most people would prefer to have no government. Hence my own approach is that I am an ecological anarchic collectivist or conservative with a large C for conserving of the human race and the planet.
Sir Ian should have been suspended from his job as soon as the shooting in Stockwell occurred it was a no brainier really as what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander another old saying that it would be wise for people to remember. Equality is what it says all should be treated equally.
Resignation of Sir Ian Blair
This was long overdue. The shooting at Stockwell happened oh his watch and he should have taken responsibility for the actions of his men. His high handed attitude towards the death of an innocent man was truly offensive.
Good days work, Mr Johnson!