Blair's parting shot to mayor Johnson

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair delivered a stinging parting shot today to the man who provoked his resignation from office.

The Scotland Yard head told London mayor Boris Johnson he had never been distracted by any of the controversies surrounding him.

And he said the Metropolitan Police Authority chairman must give unequivocal support to whoever takes over as the head of Britain's largest police force.

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Sir Ian said he will be "fully exonerated" by an investigation into how contracts worth several million pounds were handed to a close friend.

And the senior officer said he never doubted Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur would withdraw his race claim and a boycott of ethnic minority recruitment would come to nothing.

Speaking after members of the police authority paid tribute to him at a meeting today, Sir Ian's voice broke with emotion as he said goodbye to close colleagues.

Turning directly to Mr Johnson, sitting close beside him, he said: "One of your close colleagues apparently said that you wanted a boring commissioner next.

"I'm going to tell you, were that to be the case, you will be disappointed because no one can reach this position by being boring and no one can occupy it without attracting controversy.

"Whoever comes next will need you to understand that they need your support, not uncritical but unequivocal, as is the case at every other police authority between the chief and the chair."

Speaking at City Hall, Sir Ian added: "You will remember when we met in this building on October 1 you said to me, 'you must be distracted by the controversies around you.' I was not and I am not.

"I have seen others before and knew they would fall aside.

"I knew and know that Tarique Ghaffur would eventually withdraw his allegation. I knew that the Black Police Association's threat of a boycott would prove hollow.

"I know that I will be fully exonerated of any wrongdoing over the issuing of contracts.

"Whoever comes in will need your support. It is a very difficult job.

"However I have enjoyed and have been very proud to serve the people of London as their Commissioner. Nonetheless for me the revels are over so I wish you, I wish the Police Authority, all the best of good fortune."

When Mr Johnson took control of the Police Authority, the Met's governing body, on October 1 he summoned Sir Ian to his office.

Sir Ian suddenly resigned 24 hours later as it emerged Mr Johnson said he did not support him.

In the following weeks a row had broken out over the political influence of London's new Tory administration on the Commissioner's role.

Mr Johnson said he did what he thought was best for policing in London and said elected politicians must have some control over who heads the force.

But Sir Ian said he feared a new commissioner would be brought in every time the political wind changed, affecting the operational effectiveness of the force.

Speaking outside City Hall, Sir Ian suggested his successor could be in for an even rougher ride.

Speaking about his first days in office, he said: "I talked about copper-bottomed trousers but they will probably need a copper-bottomed suit altogether."

The senior officer said the increasing impact of politics on policing made his role more difficult.

He said: "The job has always been difficult but I think the position that has been reached where the Home Secretary and mayor are from different parties adds a new dimension to it.

"I was very pleased with what Boris and other members said about our service to London.

"I do believe in my time considerable improvement has been made, crime has fallen and recruitment has risen."

Asked about his resignation, Sir Ian referred to New York where there were more than twice as many police chiefs last century than in London.

He said some of the best-known and most successful police chiefs on the other side of the Atlantic lasted little more than two years.

Sir Ian said that while Commissioners should not sit in office for ever, large organisations such as the Met need continuity at the top to be effective.