Former Met commissioner "intimidated" into stepping down by London's mayor

The former head of the Met Dame Cressida Dick "felt intimidated" into stepping down as Commissioner - following an ultimatum from the capital's mayor.

Dame Cressida Dick stepped down in February.

Her time was marred by several scandals - including the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer.

In his report, Sir Tom Winsor concluded: "Due process was not followed by the Mayor of London and the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime in their taking of actions which led, on 10 February 2022, to Dame Cressida Dick stepping aside as Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. The Commissioner is not an employee of the Mayor, but she was in effect constructively dismissed by him.

"Those acting on behalf of the Mayor told the Commissioner that the Mayor intended publicly to announce his loss of trust and confidence in her, and that he intended to commence the statutory removal process, on the afternoon of February 10 2022.

"The commissioner was given a very short period in which to consider her position following that news. She was left in a position whereby she felt, even if others might have felt differently, that she had no option but to announce that she would step aside, in part to protect the Metropolitan Police itself. The circumstances in which she reached that view had been largely created by the actions of the Mayor and his staff. No good reason has been identified as to why such a resolution had to be reached on 10 February 2022 itself.

"Due process was not followed by the Mayor of London and the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime in their taking of actions which led, on 10 February 2022, to Dame Cressida Dick stepping aside"

"The Mayor's actions on 10 February 2022 failed to respect the dignity of the Commissioner as an individual, and as the holder of high public office. He did not act, in particular on 10 February 2022 itself, in accordance with the legislative scheme, still less its spirit."

In response to Sir Thomas Winsor's report, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "In thanking Sir Tom for his report, I hope now that those responsible for delivering policing in London - as well as those responsible for holding the Met to account - will concentrate their efforts on delivering safer streets for the capital and restoring integrity in policing.

"Public confidence in the Met has been dented by a series of appalling incidents and it is vital that failings are addressed and professional standards restored to the level that Londoners deserve.

Susan Hall, leader of the Conservatives at the London Assembly, called on Sadiq Khan to apologise after an independent report found Dame Cressida Dick "felt intimidated" into resigning at Metropolitan Police commissioner following an ultimatum from the mayor.

Conservative assembly members have demanded Mr Khan makes a formal apology at Mayor's Question Time later this month.

"This review is clearly biased and ignores the facts." - Sadiq Khan

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has criticised the review carried out by Sir Thomas Winsor into the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Dame Cressida Dick as Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

Mr Khan responded: "Londoners will be able to see that this review is clearly biased and ignores the facts.

"On the former Commissioner's watch, trust in the police fell to record lows following a litany of terrible scandals. What happened was simple - I lost confidence in the former Commissioner's ability to make the changes needed and she then chose to stand aside.

"Londoners elected me to hold the Met Commissioner to account and that's exactly what I have done. I make absolutely no apology for demanding better for London and for putting the interests of the city I love first. I will continue working with the new Commissioner to reduce crime and to rebuild trust and confidence in the police."

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