Brian Paddick: You Ask The Questions

Should Sir Ian Blair have resigned over the Jean Charles de Menezes case? Anthony Chong, by email

Yes. The public allows the police to use force on the understanding that someone will be held to account if something goes wrong. An innocent man was killed by the police and in the absence of any individual officer being held to account, the person at the top should take responsibility.

Aren't the Olympics a waste of money? Chandra Ghosh, by email

We have successfully bid for the Games and we should put on the very best show possible. We need to ensure that every penny of taxpayers' money spent on the Olympics gives the best possible value for money.

Do you think the public is ready to elect an openly gay mayor? Hugo Naunton, Newbury

Prejudice still exists but most Londoners accept people for who and what they are. My experience from working closely with Londoners from all walks of life is that, provided you can earn their respect by listening to what they say and demonstrating you are effective in your job, sexuality is not an issue.

What is the first thing you would do as London Mayor? Stuart Fisher, Hoxton

I would look to start tackling waste and making people feel safer. But over the coming months I am going to be listening to Londoners to make sure I understand their priorities and can get to work addressing those issues, not my issues.

Many people think London has become a meeting place for extreme groups. How would you change this? Paul Newton, Cambridge

There is small minority who will be determined, wherever they are from and wherever they choose to live, to promote extreme and dangerous views that the majority of people do not agree with. We need to ensure the overwhelming law-abiding majority unite behind a police service they have trust and confidence in to present a united front against criminals and extremists. Debating radical ideas is one of the best ways of convincing extremists they are wrong but we must work together to ensure extreme ideas do not lead to extreme behaviour.

Do you cycle and are you an advocate of more cycle lanes? Chris Wallis, Dudley

I used to cycle a lot, particularly as a student. We need to encourage cycling in London and do whatever we can to make it safer.

Would you keep the congestion charge? Richard Thompson, Dover

We need to reinforce the central zone congestion charge where traffic grinds to a halt on an almost daily basis. I want to look at scrapping the western extension, which most people did not want.

What makes you a liberal? Linda Ellis, by email

I believe passionately in the rights of the individual. I believe people should be free to do whatever they want, provided they harm no one else and I believe in helping the disadvantaged.

Following the success of the Lambeth cannabis experiment, will you be seeking to do a similar experiment London wide? Chris Andre-Watson, by email

While this was seen to be controversial at the time, I am very proud of what we achieved. It was deemed to be a success and that is why the Lambeth cannabis experiment has already been adopted by the police service nationally. It is currently being reviewed but I would not be in favour of changing the current system.

Should cannabis be legalised or returned to a class B drug? David Raynes, by email

We need to stop playing with the legality of cannabis or whether it is in the right class or not and concentrate on educating people, particularly young people, as to the harmful effects.

Have you ever taken cannabis or any other illegal drugs? Harry Chalk, Farringdon

No.

Why do you think people use drugs? Jackie Hall, Denmark Hill

People take drugs for a whole range of reasons. It makes some people feel good, whether it is alcohol or illegal drugs. For others it provides a means of escape. Many don't want to be taking drugs but need help to kick their addictions. I would like to see better drug treatment facilities for those who genuinely want to change their lives.

Why did you take leave of absence from the police when you did? Colin Sanders, by email

I left the police because the Commissioner effectively accused me of lying in my evidence to the IPCC over the Stockwell shooting. I joined the police to make a difference. When it became clear to me that I could no longer make a difference because I was sidelined I decided to leave.

What do you think about 'plastic police'? Laurence Willie, by email

I don't think it is helpful to dismiss the efforts of those Police Community Support Officers who are doing valuable jobs, but I believe that Londoners would prefer to see more fully trained police officers on the streets instead of more PCSOs.

Are the police really too politically correct nowadays? Sue Edith, Canterbury

We should be giving police officers the self-confidence to deal with anyone, no matter what their origins are, fairly and without prejudice. I believe many officers are frightened if they encounter someone from a minority background in case they do or say something wrong.

Do you think the police service is still institutionally racist? How about homophobic? Mike Walker, Sheffield

Police officers are drawn from our society where sadly people do sometimes still hold these views. Things are much better but we still have a way to go and screening, training and educating all have a part to play.

Should the police be allowed to carry guns? David L, by email

We have a system that works well now where we have a limited number of officers who are armed and who can quickly get to their unarmed colleagues if the need arises. However, I am not in favour of arming all police officers. I believe that a gun automatically puts a distance between the officer and the people they are there to serve.

Who is your policing hero? Simon Price, Lincoln

My policing hero is former Deputy Assistant Commissioner John Grieve. Former Head of the Anti-Terrorist Branch, he also transformed the way the police deal with hate crimes against people from minority groups.

What was the most dangerous situation you ever found yourself in? Duncan Cross, London

As a young police officer I was policing the Brixton Riots in 1981 where, with 10 colleagues, we were given the job of clearing a street of rioters so the fire brigade could put out the cars and buildings. As well as bricks being thrown at us, I was concerned that the burning buildings might collapse on us. We were lucky to escape uninjured.

Do we need the monarchy? Bruce Henning, Dorset

I believe the monarchy is good for tourism but their role should be largely ceremonial. It makes no sense to me that there are powers that still reside with The Queen.

Where did Charles Kennedy go wrong? Gillian Dees, by email

Charles failed to convince his colleagues that he could continue to do his job effectively.

Do you still think anarchism is intellectually attractive? Valerie Day, by email

The idea that, in the absence of Government, laws and the police, the innate goodness of humans would blossom is a nice idea but it would never work in practice.

Is it true the Tories tried to woo you as their mayoral candidate? S Banerjee, Gateshead

I was asked to a meeting with the then president of the Conservative Party about becoming the Conservative candidate for Mayor of London. I said to myself and to my mother: "How can I, a card-carrying Liberal Democrat, stand for the Conservatives?" She said: "Churchill crossed the floor... but my mother never forgave him for it." I am a Lib Dem through and through and I believe passionately I can offer an alternative way of conducting politics.

What has been Ken's greatest achievement as mayor? Freddie Hooper, E8

Ken Livingstone's greatest achievement was the introduction of the congestion charge against a lot of opposition. Unfortunately it is no longer effective and neither is he.

Do you like Boris? Lizzie Witherham, Manchester

I have nothing against Boris personally but my advice to him would be don't give up the day jobs.