By John Kaponi Editor-in-Chief

"But there comes a time in any organisation when it becomes clear it would benefit from new leadership and clarity of purpose. I believe that time is now."

Boris Johnson the Mayor of London has succeeded in removing the head of the Metropolitan Police Sir Ian Blair following months of disagreements on the way in which policing in the capital should be done.

It was from the outset of Mayor Johnson's election that tension started to build with Sir Ian Blair a new Labour supporter and a confidente of the Labour elite.  

Mayor Johnson has been angered accorded to sources at City Hall at the way in which the issue of ethnic officers litigating against the Met has been so public and damaging to the image of the police in London, requiring a letter to be sent by City Hall to the Met to warn that this must not interfere with the policing of the city.

With a democratic mandate behind him Mayor Johnson will now proceed to fight the high levels of knife and gun crime in the capital with what City Hall sources have said as “an iron fist” with more police on the streets of London.

Mayor’s statement on resignation of Sir Ian Blair

"Sir Ian Blair has made a lasting and distinguished contribution to policing, in London and across the UK, for the last 34 years.

He will be especially remembered for his successful introduction in London of the Safer Neighbourhood teams and for falling crime levels virtually across the board.

In the face of a chronic and dangerous terrorist threat, he can be very proud of his record in helping to keep millions of Londoners safe from harm.

But there comes a time in any organisation when it becomes clear it would benefit from new leadership and clarity of purpose. I believe that time is now.

And following a meeting with Sir Ian yesterday, he has agreed to give someone else the chance to offer new leadership for policing in London. And I am sure he has done the right thing.

I will always be grateful to Sir Ian for the productive start he has made to our plans to tackle serious violence and to reduce disorder on public transport.

He leaves having made London safer and with our gratitude and best wishes. There is no doubt that he will continue to make a significant intellectual contribution to crime fighting in the UK and abroad."

photo credit: flickr.com