Sadiq Khan under pressure over crime ‘What is Mayor going to do?!’
Mayor Sadiq Khan called on to prevent winter crime wave
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been tasked by ex-Chief Constable Stuart Hyde to announce a plan for protecting Londoners amid forecasts of a winter crime wave in the capital. Fears of a sharp rise in criminality on the back of the cost of living crisis have seen the Labour mayor come under increasing pressure to act.
Mr Hyde told LBC: “We need much more investment in the ability of police officers to use forensics, digital forensics, and to get people on our side.
“But more importantly, and I think this is the sad thing about this letter.
“This letter doesn’t tell you what everybody else is going to do in order to try and ensure that London is safe.
“So what is the work that’s going to be done to take away the amount of time and effort that the police have to deal with, for example, dealing with mental health issues? And what is the Mayor going to do?
Read more: Truss believes she is the heir Margaret Thatcher now she must prove it
“How is the relationship between the new Home Secretary and the Mayor are going to improve to ensure that the policing of London is both accountable, and I agree with that, but also effective, they’ve got to work together and there’s no sign that they’re doing that at the moment.”
Mr Khan is reported to have told the former head of the Metropolitan Police that it was a “last-chance saloon” after a police officer was charged with rape days after Wayne Couzens’ sentencing, according to a new report.
Author Sir Tom Winsor said Mr Khan made the comments during a meeting on October 3 last year with Deputy Mayor Sophie Linden, Dame Cressida Dick and Deputy Commissioner Sir Stephen House.
In his report, which was published on Friday, Sir Tom says Mr Khan was “particularly concerned” an officer serving with the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command was charged by Hertfordshire Constabulary with rape earlier that day.
Starmer launches attack on Truss minutes after PM election
The review said: “The mayor was particularly concerned that the officer had been in the same team as Wayne Couzens, who had abducted, raped and murdered Sarah Everard in early 2021, and been sentenced for these offences in late September.
“There was some discussion about how the situation should be handled, both in relation to the media and to the relevant police unit.
“At the end of the meeting, the mayor said to the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner, ‘This is the last chance saloon. I worry about what is going to happen. You need to throw everything at this.”‘
The report, which analyses the circumstances surrounding Dame Cressida’s sudden departure from the force in February 2022, was commissioned by Home Secretary Priti Patel.
Don’t miss:
POLL: Should Liz Truss call a general election right away? [POLL]
For the sake of Britain we now have to get behind Liz Truss [COMMENT]
‘Smashed it babe!’ Leftie comedian weighs in after Liz Truss landslide [INSIGHT]
It outlines the soured relationship between the former Met Police chief and the mayor in the months leading up to her resignation.
Sir Tom’s conclusion states due process was not followed surrounding her exit and he found Dame Cressida “felt intimidated” following an ultimatum from Mr Khan.
Mr Khan has criticised the review, stating that it “clearly biased and ignores the facts” and that he is expected to hold the Met Commissioner to account and “that’s exactly what I have done”.
In a letter to Ms Patel before publication, Mr Khan said his office was seeking legal advice over the draft findings of the report. It is understood this is no longer the case.
Source: Read Full Article
