Didn’t think he’d jump!!
I think it’s partly party politics -Iain Blair is seen by the tories as a (Tony) Blair appointee and now the conservatives have captured the mayorship with Boris they want to flex their muscles and mark their territory by getting ‘their’ man into the top job at the met. Blairs current weak position (the De Menezes ****-up, the ongoing spat with the association of Black police officers etc) provided them/Boris with their opportunity.
He may be unlucky, he may be a victim of politics, but he is also bent -
Stop reading the daily mail, it’ll dumb you down in no time!
If you’d believe everything in there, all foreigners would be criminals and England still rules an empire.
Twas reported in other places too. Giuliano is right.
Jetstream, you may have to define “right” a bit more.
No matter, apart from his efforts and successes in increasing local policing, I’m pretty glad to see the back of him.
Seems to be a matter of record that he tried to fudge the Stockwell killing and deflect or delay the investigation following. That alone makes him unfit to be the head of the Met.
The problem I now have is trying not to agree with Ken that this has made the job Mayoral political appointment.
What follows next could be interesting.
Glad he`s gone.
Ditto good ridance to a bad un, did nothing for us, we need a strong new leader
nothing illegal in doing that was there?
i’d look after my mates.
Why not give the contract to a pal?
The conservatives/Boris have shown real contempt for the govt. on this one - protocol demands that the mayor consults the Home Secretary on the future of the chief of the Metropolitan Police - Boris ignored this and de facto sacked Blair without any consultation with the Home Sec. Jaqui Smith - she sounded genuinely furious on R4 this morning.
Some chap on question time last night gave her a right mouthfull about it, she looked shocked and didn’t say a word. She’s only in the job because she’s a woman and Bliar wanted more women in the cabinet for show, not because she’s any good. Not surprised that Boris ignored her, everybody else does.
Harsh but true! 
Can’t see how she could be genuinely furious as she obviously doesnt give a toss about the old bill. She never showed them any support during last years police pay awards?
I thought these guys were just figureheads and they delegated the real decision making?
I don’t think she gives a monkeys about Ian Blair - it’s her pride that is hurting - not being consulted on this by the mayor is a MASSIVE insult - she is the home secretary and Blair is the countrys top policeman and she has been completely cut out of the loop - as insults to home secretarys go this is a biggie.
And what is wrong with that?