The Metropolitan Police Federation which represents over 31,000 officers has said that it has “no faith” in London mayor Sadiq Khan and is "disappointed" by his actions after he “pushed out” the force’s commissioner Dame Cressida Dick in a “very public ousting” last week.
On Thursday morning, Dame Cressida said she planned to remain in her role and instigate the culture changes needed in the force but was forced to step down later the same day when Khan declared that he had no confidence in her plans.
Khan wrote in the Observer on Sunday that Dame Cressida’s successor need to make rapid changes after public trust in the Met had been “shattered” by a series of scandals, including the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer and cases of misogyny and sexism having been uncovered within the force.
In the aftermath of Khan's comments, Met Police Federation chair, Ken Marsh, warned that morale among officers within the force was at “rock bottom” and that the mayor had “undermined the professional, dedicated and incredibly difficult work of tens of thousands of hard-working and brave police officers from across the capital”.
Marsh added: “We have let the mayor's office know in no uncertain terms how our brave and diligent colleagues deserve better.
“Officers in London feel saddened and angry that the commissioner, Cressida Dick, has been pushed out in the way she has. She was reforming. She was changing. The culture is changing. We are deeply disappointed with the actions of the mayor.”
Khan doubled down on his views in response to Marsh’s comments, saying that part of his job was to “stand up for Londoners” and that a change of leadership was “the only way to address” eroding trust in the force.
A spokesperson for the London mayor said: “The mayor has always made clear that there are thousands of incredibly brave and decent police officers at the Met, who we owe a huge debt of gratitude.
“But the series of scandals seen in recent years has tarnished the reputation of the police, which is so crucial to policing by consent.
“Downplaying the scale of the change required is only going to hinder, not help, the vital process of restoring Londoners' trust in the Met.”
Khan will collaborate with home secretary Priti Patel in the search for a new commissioner, with Patel having the final say over who is appointed.
Photo by King's Church International on Unsplash
