Dame Cressida Dick “felt intimidated” into resigning as Metropolitan Police Commissioner after an ultimatum from London mayor Sadiq Khan, an unbiased report has discovered.
The overview, by Sir Thomas Winsor, into Dame Cressida’s departure from the drive in February additionally discovered due course of was not adopted.
Dame Cressida mentioned she would step apart after proof emerged officers at Charing Cross police station had despatched racist, sexist and homophobic messages to at least one one other.
The report discovered the mayor was “particularly concerned” one of many officers who despatched the offensive messages had been in the identical workforce as Wayne Couzens, the previous Met officer who was jailed for all times for murdering Sarah Everard in 2021.
Mr Khan then mentioned to Dame Cressida in non-public that this was her “last chance saloon” and she or he wanted to “throw everything at this”.
In his report, Sir Thomas 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.
“Those performing on behalf of the mayor informed the commissioner that he meant publicly to announce his lack of belief and confidence in her, and that he meant to start the statutory elimination course of, on the afternoon of February 10 2022.
“She felt intimidated by this process into stepping aside, and I can understand that reaction.
“The mayor’s actions did not respect the dignity of the commissioner as a person, and because the holder of excessive public workplace.
“He did not act, in particular on 10 February 2022 itself, in accordance with the legislative scheme, still less its spirit.”
The Met has since been positioned in particular measures and in addition suffered a backlash over its investigation of events throughout Downing Street and Whitehall throughout COVID lockdowns.
Khan ‘oppressive’ and ‘unreasonable’
Responding to the report, Dame Cressida mentioned: “Leading the Met and serving the people of London was a wonderful privilege. My first priority was always their safety.
“I remorse this report was obligatory however I hope it is going to assist create a sounder basis for my successors.
“Sir Tom has written a highly detailed and forensic account of the circumstances surrounding my departure.
“He discovered the Mayor didn’t observe due course of and at occasions his behaviour was oppressive, unreasonable, solely unacceptable and unfair.”
She added: “I absolutely respect the necessity for democratic oversight of policing. It can also be necessary that politicians respect due course of and don’t break the principles.
“I hope this report is an opportunity for others to reflect on how City Hall functions and is held to account.”
Report is ‘biased’, Khan claims
Mr Khan, who was criticised by a number of senior police figures on the time of Dame Cressida’s resignation, responded by describing the allegations within the report as “clearly biased” and claiming they “ignore all the facts”.
The mayor has beforehand mentioned the incidents that led to her downfall included:
• Her failure to cope with a tradition of misogyny and racism inside the drive
• The scandal at Charing Cross police station the place officers shared racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic messages. Two of the officers investigated have been promoted, whereas 9 have been left to serve within the Met.
• The Met management’s dealing with of the homicide of Ms Everard in March 2021 by a serving Met officer. Mr Khan mentioned the inquiry should “leave no stone unturned”.
• Another scandal involving the Met the place two officers took pictures on the scene the place two sisters lay murdered in a London park.
Mr Khan added in an announcement: “On the former commissioner’s watch, trust in the police fell to record lows following a litany of terrible scandals.
“What occurred was easy – I misplaced confidence within the former commissioner’s skill to make the adjustments wanted and she or he then selected to face apart.
“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.”
Priti Patel, the house secretary, mentioned: “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.”
Dame Cressida left her put up in April and is due to get replaced by Sir Mark Rowley.
Source: information.sky.com”