this is bbc news. the headlines. dame cressida dick is to step down as commissioner of the metropolitan police she said she was left with �*no choice�* after london mayor sadiq khan made it clear he had no confidence in her leadership. following contact with the mayor of london today it was quite clear that the mayor no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership and the metropolitan police service for me to continue as commissioner. he has left me no choice but to step aside. it is clear that the only way to start — it is clear that the only way to start to — it is clear that the only way to start to deliver these scale of the change _ start to deliver these scale of the change required is to have new

leadership right at the top of the metropolitan police. good evening and welcome to bbc news. the metropolitan police commissioner cressida dick is to step down. dame cressida said she had been left with "no choice" after london mayor sadiq khan made it clear to her he had no confidence in her leadership. last week, the police watchdog found "disgraceful" misogyny, discrimination and sex harassment among some met pcs. hours earlier, dame cressida said she had no intention of quitting, but on announcing her resignation, she said "it is with huge sadness that following contact with the mayor of london today, it is clear that the mayor no longer has

sufficient confidence in my leadership to continue. he has left me no choice but to step aside as commissioner of the metropolitan police service. "at his request, i have agreed to stay on for a short period to ensure the stability of the met and its leadership while arrangements are made for a transition to a new commissioner. "undertaking this role as a servant of the people of london and the uk has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life the mayor of london spoke a short time ago after we got the confirmation of her stepping down. last week i made clear to the metropolitan police commissioner that a scale of the change i believe is urgently required to rebuild the trust and confidence of londoners in the match —— met and to root out the racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying, discrimination, and misogyny that still exists. i am not

satisfied with the commissioner's response. on being informed of this, dame cressida dick has offered her resignation which i have accepted. it is clear that the only way to start to deliver the scale of the change required is to have new leadership right at the top of the metropolitan police. i would like to thank dame cressida dick for her a0 years of dedicated public service with the vast majority spent at the met where she was the first woman to become commissioner. in particular, i commend herfor the recent work in helping us to bring down violent crime in london although of course there is more to do. i want to put on record again that there are thousands of incredibly brave and decent police officers at the met who go above and beyond every day to

help keep us safe and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude. i will work closely with the home secretary on the appointment of a new commissioner said that we can move quickly to restore trust in the capitol police service while keeping london safe. in capitol police service while keeping london safe-— capitol police service while keeping london safe. ., , ., , london safe. in the last few moments dame cressida — london safe. in the last few moments dame cressida dick— london safe. in the last few moments dame cressida dick gave _ london safe. in the last few moments dame cressida dick gave a _ london safe. in the last few moments| dame cressida dick gave a statement. following contact with the mayor of london today it is quite clear that the mayor no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership of the metropolitan police service for me to continue as commissioner. he has left me no choice but to step aside. i say this with deep sadness and regret. at his request i have agreed to stay on for a straight period a

number of weeks to ensure the stability of the met and its leadership while necessary arrangements can be made for a transition to a new commissioner. undertaking this role a crown appointment as a servant of the people of london and united kingdom as being the greatest honour and privilege of my life. throughout my credit —— career i have sought to protect the people of this wonderful, thriving, and diverse city. there have been many tough calls and many challenges. the 2017 terrorist attacks, the grenfell fire, very difficult protests, the

pandemic, the murder of serving officers. an incredibly proud of my team and all that they have achieved. since day one tackling violence in all its forms has been my number one priority. tragically, we continue to see teenagers murdered. and every attack, every death is truly a tragedy. but we are delivering and overall violence is down, the met is bucking the national trend. they are achieving remarkable results in key areas of violence with thousands fewer victims of knife crime and gun crime. thousands fewer victims of robbery. we have been tackling county names, suppressing gangs, smashing up organised crime groups,

and we have been having an extraordinary effect. there is real momentum behind us after too many years of rising violent crime until about 2018, i am confident violence on the streets of london will continue to fall. i leave the met thatis continue to fall. i leave the met that is larger and growing. we will soon record the largest ever number of police officers serving london. and london is becoming safer. these officers are great people. they include more women than ever in every rank and role and an increasing numberfrom a broad range of ethnic backgrounds that truly reflect the diversity of this most diverse city on the planet. the met

is looking to the future and it is ready for the threats to come. officers are better equipped and better informed and we are taking advantage of mobile and other technologies, forensics capabilities, and we are of course introducing better safety equipment and equipment in generalfor our teams. they have been delivering an change and modernisation. improving our systems and training innovative and state—of—the—art technologies including live facial exit —— recognition and faster way to capture and examine digital information. our counterterrorism capability is world leading. last yeari capability is world leading. last year i was extremely proud to see the first phase of our world leading operations centre bringing all agencies together in one place as we

adapt to the pernicious and involving threats. vase is met where every hour of every day, people perform heroic acts. we are more accountable, we are more transparent, we are more open than ever. and we have even deeper links to our communities. the murder of sarah everard and many other awful cases recently have, i know, damaged confidence in this fantastic police service. there is much to do and i know that the met has turned its full attention to rebuilding trust and confidence and to raising our standards. i am very optimistic for

the future of the met and for london. thank you to everyone in the met and indeed all of those who work with us for the extraordinary efforts you make each and every day. the met is nearly 200 years old. we have had winning officers forjust over 101 years —— winning. it's truly an utterly extraordinary organisation and police service. the public depend on you, my colleagues for your professionalism, your courage, your compassion and your integrity. you make a huge difference to people lives every day. thank you. our home affairs correspondent

tom symonds is outside new scotland yard for us this evening... it has been a very dramatic few hours because it was only hours ago that the net commission i was very defiantly saying she wanted to stay on? , , , ., defiantly saying she wanted to stay on? , ,, ., defiantly saying she wanted to stay on? , ,, on? yes, dame cressida dick started the morning — on? yes, dame cressida dick started the morning 11 _ on? yes, dame cressida dick started the morning 11 o'clock _ on? yes, dame cressida dick started the morning 11 o'clock this _ on? yes, dame cressida dick started the morning 11 o'clock this morning l the morning 11 o'clock this morning on bbc london. she was taking questions from the audience of the radio station, some very tough questions about her position and one person said which he resigned in her answer was absolutely not, she was adamant she not only intended to stay in thejob adamant she not only intended to stay in the job but she felt she could make a case that she could prove she could do the job and make a case for staying as commissioner of the metropolitan police but it was not to be. to give you some idea of her position this morning she said she was disgusted and angry about the revelations. the most recent revelations of behaviour of officers some years of at the police station. she said that there will be

more embarrassing and disgusting revelations over the weeks to come as the met attempted to root out some of the people with bad attitudes within its ranks. i think that points epic to her problem. last week she met the mayor of london and there was a lot of discussion about the the met plan to deal with its cultural problem. that plan involves months of review by dame louise casey. maybe casey was going to spend until christmas looking through the issues and problems and she had free reign to do what she wanted to find issues but if you think about it over those months they will be more revelations and more pressure building on the the met and her dame cressida dick position became difficult to sustain because the mayor wanted results much more quickly than that. he was talking about days, weeks at most. i think tonight now seems inevitable.

do we know it's something shifted in the last few hours. we heard sadiq khan saying the pain she came up with was not adequate and he wanted to have another meeting and instead of that she resigned, do you have more detail about what the gap was between the two of them? the metronolitan — between the two of them? tue: metropolitan police between the two of them? tte: metropolitan police commissioner between the two of them? tt9: metropolitan police commissioner is appointed by the queen. the queen take advice from the home secretary but in reality she cannot do this job the commissioner and if she does not have the support of the london mayor. it cannot be done and one of the things that happened during the day and a bit yesterday but it was made perfectly clear by people who were talking to journalists and officials on all sides that if the mayor of london withdrew his support she really could not stay in the job. i suspect there has been a reaction to the interview she gave to bbc london on the question she answered this morning we would have to ask sadiq khan whether anything she said convinced him that she could not stay in the role but i think it is this issue of timing. it

is a need for the mayor to see a result as quickly as possible. she has a plan, the met came up with the review before the government started its review. but it was going to take time. during that time there was going to be more and more behaviour issues surfacing in the met all of which would've looked very bad. that's what's at the heart of this. we should say the prime minister has said on twitter that dame cressida dick served her country with great dedication and distinction over many decades and i thank her for her while protecting the public and making our streets safer. this change at the met comes at a very sensitive time for the metropolitan police because they are investigating the prime minister and they really hold the political fate in his hands. the leader of the liberal democrats said borisjohnson should recuse himself from any process which involves hiring her success but how can that happen

given that pretty patel is obviously also key in line in terms of appointing who comes next? tt’s also key in line in terms of appointing who comes next? it's a very difficult _ appointing who comes next? it's a very difficult situation _ appointing who comes next? it's a very difficult situation as - appointing who comes next? it's a very difficult situation as i - very difficult situation as i explained, the home secretary is crucial in this and there would be a big decision to be made about how that process is carried out. don't forget the met itself was criticised by the way he dealt with notjust theissues by the way he dealt with notjust the issues about sarah everard and sexism and misogyny and racism within the ranks but the way he dealt with the party gate scandal. people felt the the met should have been investigating from the start. there was a claim early on that these are issues that happened in these are issues that happened in the past and that's issues to deal with breaching the covid—19 regulations in the past were not something the police are going to deal with and suddenly the police were dealing with them. it made the commissioner onto the met look weak and open to criticism. it will not have to be a decision to be made about the role of the government in making this decision about the new

commissioner. it's worth saying it's difficult for the forest because they have a period of great change. they have to sort out their troubles and a half to find another commissioner. within the circles of the police if not entirely clear, there is no clear candidates ready and waiting to take over. what it's and waiting to take over. what it's a very difficultjob dealing with a force that has lost the support and the trust of the political ahead of the trust of the political ahead of the city, the mayor of london and as you will hear there are protesters here and a not of the trust of londoners themselves. can here and a not of the trust of londoners themselves.- here and a not of the trust of londoners themselves. can i reach ou one londoners themselves. can i reach you one reaction _ londoners themselves. can i reach you one reaction statement from l londoners themselves. can i reach l you one reaction statement from the metropolitan police federation saying while they don't always agree with the commissioner think she was doing a good job in difficult circumstances and her removal leaves a void in the leadership of the metropolitan police force at the moment. so some support from her from the police federation. she moment. so some support from her from the police federation.- from the police federation. she was --oular from the police federation. she was

pepuiar with — from the police federation. she was pepuiar with the _ from the police federation. she was popular with the rank _ from the police federation. she was popular with the rank and _ from the police federation. she was popular with the rank and file - from the police federation. she was popular with the rank and file and i from the police federation. she was popular with the rank and file and a | popular with the rank and file and a let some grim faces among her officials said today. they were genuinely upset by what was happening in front of them. and i think it was a feeling she had the support within the forest to make changes but perhaps he little bit institutional, a little bit to put east and perhaps not looking outwards enough to her critics and metropolitan critics outside the police force. it's also worth saying as she departs she was the first commissioner of the metropolitan police and had a career which involve dealing with some difficult situations not least her involvement with the fatal shooting by police officers as a result of the mistaken identity something she was heavily involved with and she has had a long career here and there will be a feeling that the met has lost a woman in the forest which is something they could not afford to lose. but the political problems were growing very fast. she did have

her contract renewed by the governments recently but it was done with crossed fingers on the parts of the government. it was not done with a warmth of spirit if you like. there was a feeling that she had to get this sorted out as being clear and they are simply was not prepared for back—up. and they are simply was not prepared for back-un— for back-up. thank you. the group became the _ for back-up. thank you. the group became the streets _ for back-up. thank you. the group became the streets recognise - for back-up. thank you. the group became the streets recognise that| became the streets recognise that the jail for sarah everard and the way the metropolitan police handled that vigil was criticised for being too heavy—handed as we have been hearing of course. what are your thoughts and hearing that the commissioner has been forced to step down? �* , :, , :, commissioner has been forced to step down? �*, :, , :, down? there's a bit of good riddance- — down? there's a bit of good riddance. her— down? there's a bit of good riddance. her treatment - down? there's a bit of good riddance. her treatment of | down? there's a bit of good l riddance. her treatment of us down? there's a bit of good - riddance. her treatment of us and worrying more about getting met off the front pages and not worrying about the safety for the lending of london for the past year has been despicable. we have been vocal in

the fact it has not been good enough. even last week she was talking about the assemblies that there was no homophobia, she said there was no homophobia, she said there was no sexism is more races and you can't do changes that are needed without admitting the problems and without looking at how those need to be fixed. she’s problems and without looking at how those need to be fixed.— those need to be fixed. she's the first female _ those need to be fixed. she's the first female officer _ those need to be fixed. she's the first female officer and _ those need to be fixed. she's the | first female officer and openly gay herself and the police federation have said she should have been given the time to build that trust in the metropolitan police and she should have been treated better. it did not fair to say that such massive cultural change that perhaps was needed here does take time? it does take time but — needed here does take time? it does take time but you _ needed here does take time? it does take time but you have _ needed here does take time? it does take time but you have to _ needed here does take time? it does take time but you have to admit - take time but you have to admit there's a problem and you have to look at experts and that at ways to future proof your organisation. by just saying there is no racism or sexism by denying an inquiry about wayne cousins and laments treatment at the hands of the met you are not doing work that brings your organisation into the future and if necessary. it will be hard work. they did not bring any groups in

order to set there about violence against women and girls. they told us to leave down people and face time. there was a pr campaign that kept calling wayne our former officer, he was a serving officer when he killed there. the lady treated us like naive young girls. our treatment at the hands of dame cressida dick was offensive and i don't care that she was a woman. the work starts now. her leaving does not mean there is a clean sheet. it means there's tonnes and tonnes of work to be done and research should be done and training and fading and it's going to be a hard job. we don't minimise what work has to be done but we would like to participate in it and he would like to be part of quelling that confidence. t5 to be part of quelling that confidence.— to be part of quelling that confidence. , : ., :, , :, to be part of quelling that confidence. , : ., :, :, confidence. is it clear to you how much of the _ confidence. is it clear to you how much of the obstacles _ confidence. is it clear to you how much of the obstacles you - confidence. is it clear to you how much of the obstacles you felt i confidence. is it clear to you how. much of the obstacles you felt your face in police treatment where because of her rather than other people who might have been involved in these decisions? in people who might have been involved in these decisions?— in these decisions? in our a face-to-face _ in these decisions? in our a face-to-face meeting - in these decisions? in our a face-to-face meeting with l in these decisions? in our a i face-to-face meeting with her in these decisions? in our a - face-to-face meeting with her it was face—to—face meeting with her it was very disrespectful. we never felt like there was an easy way or in any

respect and she called us naive young woman. make every step of it was about citing thing and saying go into a corner, no, no, no. it led to real levels of distress. they had six months of going the handcuffing detail and instead of enacting things that kept him in faith they told us to rent —— rundown buses,. if we look ahead now and say never comes next is obviously going to take a lot of scrutiny what are the key things you would like them to do quickly? the key things you would like them to do ruickl ? : :, quickly? the culture of whistle-blowing - quickly? the culture of whistle-blowing has i quickly? the culture of whistle-blowing has to quickly? the culture of. whistle-blowing has to be quickly? the culture of— whistle-blowing has to be looked at whistle—blowing has to be looked at because all of this is going to keep coming out and it's going to be hard and it's looking at how it's being dealt with in the past and what changes can be made immediately in terms of hiring and fading and whistle—blowing. whistle—blowing is a huge thing on the force. and you know you will be firefighting sets

not that we are seeing this will be an easyjob but using the community and training for us experts in those fields to bring us in and say how did we do this and how have organisations in other countries that these problems and build confidence i think that's where you start. th confidence i think that's where you start. , :, : start. in terms of their recent reports that came _ start. in terms of their recent reports that came out - start. in terms of their recent reports that came out and i start. in terms of their recent l reports that came out and what happened by police officers after the murder of the two sisters and also they have been multiple cases and multiple horrific criticisms of behaviour by officers. find and multiple horrific criticisms of behaviour by officers.— and multiple horrific criticisms of behaviour by officers. and she kept sa in: it's behaviour by officers. and she kept saying it's not _ behaviour by officers. and she kept saying it's not systemic _ behaviour by officers. and she kept saying it's not systemic in - behaviour by officers. and she kept saying it's not systemic in the - saying it's not systemic in the forest and by not addressing if you are not going to reform and we need reform. we need people public service and not power and this idea of at any cost covered the reputation of the met at the cost of us being safe is not acceptable. we are glad to see her go and he would like to support the hiring practices and the reform practices that need

to be put in place. [30 and the reform practices that need to be put in place.— and the reform practices that need to be put in place. do you have any s math to be put in place. do you have any sympathy for _ to be put in place. do you have any sympathy for met _ to be put in place. do you have any sympathy for met officers - to be put in place. do you have any sympathy for met officers who - sympathy for met officers who operated under difficult circumstances in the last two years? i think theirjobs are a lot harder because of the abundance in the forest because they streets are more dangerous if you don't trust police and if you've got the public not trusting parties it makes theirjobs more dangerous and harder. i want to trust the police and have confidence and i want to help build it. we are anxious and eager to take part in this but it's a lot of work and this idea of denying the problem and denying that there is homophobia and racism does not make the change. the first thing needs to be the statutory inquiry, open up the toys and that people are in and see what's really wrong so that changes and the fixing can begin.— what's really wrong so that changes and the fixing can begin.

we have had more reaction now to base announcements, what are your thoughts in terms of seeing the chairman of the metropolitan police federation has said officers are saddened at the means that dame cressida dick is leaving her role? they would always be officers saddened when any cheap officer leaves whether it's in the met or anywhere else. that's understandable. but like everything that are necessary needs a new leader. without a shadow of the home secretary said there's going to be a secondary review and expect to be held forward and carried forward by a new commissioner who is not going to be in denial or say they don't recognise institutional sexism or institutional racism and that person has to be in touch with the communities of london. they have to

be a relationship, a partnership. you cannot erase your way out of the problem why stop and search away the problem why stop and search away the problem you have got to work with communities in an open and transparent way. in a similar way to the previous interview carried out. it's complicated. what was it about the most recent — complicated. what was it about the most recent reports _ complicated. what was it about the most recent reports that _ complicated. what was it about the most recent reports that has - complicated. what was it about the j most recent reports that has forced this now because there's been a number of difficult controversies in the met as there are facing many commissioners. what are the details here that you think have really seemed to make the final blow? tt’s seemed to make the final blow? it's the seemed to make the final blow? tt�*s the toxicity of it. it's also how it's using social media and whatsapp groups and other social media platforms to spread that venom and it's on so many fronts, racism,

sexism, homophobia. it beggars belief. it's personal to me because i serve between 2000 and 200a and as a supervisor i knew the importance of being proactive and no when you're officers are not conducting themselves properly. you have got to create an environment where those who wrote officers cannot spread their venom and their toxicity of the outlandish comments and let them understand you cannot say well if you cannot take thatjoke you should not have joined. you cannot take thatjoke you should not havejoined. it you cannot take thatjoke you should not have joined. it is not about banter. it's more than that. the supervisors have to be the checks and balances to ensure you have a positive environment, none of the prejudices that the power and also they will take necessary action so that you get a more positive culture

and the officers feel they can whistle blow without being seen as a anything like that they must be seen as progressing the organisation to get rid of those bad elements in the station and obviously central london one of the most specific stations had so much to do and so much toxicity it was later ready the final straw.— toxicity it was later ready the final straw. how much of that behaviour— final straw. how much of that behaviour in _ final straw. how much of that behaviour in a _ final straw. how much of that behaviour in a vast _ final straw. how much of that l behaviour in a vast organisation final straw. how much of that - behaviour in a vast organisation can behaviour in a vast organisation can be made at the door of the commissioner? it's over two decades since the stephen lawrence inquiry which i know i covered and i'm sure you followed closely as well talk about institutional racism within the met. we've had so many efforts at trying to reform the culture and other public organisations. how much

responsibility can be made at the door at the prison at the top? such a big organisation? t door at the prison at the top? such a big organisation?— a big organisation? i think dame cressida dick _ a big organisation? i think dame cressida dick was _ a big organisation? i think dame cressida dick was involved - a big organisation? i think dame cressida dick was involved in - cressida dick was involved in mcpherson and the recommendation. she was part of the lead units in the met to vote out the recommendation then she was part of that culture change. we saw culture change because the recommendations we are talking about in terms of progression and an external service and stop and search etc so there were various things that we could see progress and we had political oversight from the labor government will this group so she knew what to do and that's why when she was appointed i welcomed her appointment despite issues around stockpile and case and everything because i knew

she had a very important phase after the mcpherson reports and the culture change that went with it. when i saw the litany of things is happening and she said she does not recognise institutional racism and she does not recognise institutional sexism i thought she in denial or eat she in denial or disingenuous in the past and she's in denial now? i was surprised at how she seemed to be defending and being defensible and as a result of that he seemed to be eroding trust and confidence especially when it came to the black community. the black community had been hit hard by dame cressida dick on so many fronts. one example is when she said no longer to investigate the stephen lawrence case. she did not have to say that i'm the timing was so bad with the black lives matter movement shortly

after george freud and i thought why would she say that? maybe she's out of touch and does not care.— of touch and does not care. looking ahead, the — of touch and does not care. looking ahead, the metropolitan _ of touch and does not care. looking ahead, the metropolitan police - of touch and does not care. looking ahead, the metropolitan police are | ahead, the metropolitan police are in a very sensitive moment of investigating the prime minister of ra that parties and downing street allegedly held, how do you think the process should go forward now of appointing the next next commissioner? , :, _ em commissioner? obviously... should boris johnson _ commissioner? obviously... should boris johnson be _ commissioner? obviously... should boris johnson be recused _ commissioner? obviously... should boris johnson be recused from - commissioner? obviously... should boris johnson be recused from this | borisjohnson be recused from this process? boris johnson be recused from this rocess? ~ , , ,, process? absolutely. the issue with the re orts process? absolutely. the issue with the reports now— process? absolutely. the issue with the reports now when _ process? absolutely. the issue with the reports now when dame - process? absolutely. the issue with | the reports now when dame cressida dick was saying now, we want to get involved in it and they same day it was supposed to be published she is now going to investigate and take data reports into the grass because now the investigation is going to take precedence and that put so many

people suspicions even higher and the met into distribute and allegations of misconduct and all of these things. so i think there will be accessing down and they will be a new person and i know they would expedite that as quick as possible to get the right person can make the culture changes and to get the confidence of the officers because you cannot have a minority of rogue officers with these venomous comments on social media, etc controlling the good cops. you need to create a positive environment where the good cops are challenging to buy cops and importantly dealing with the systemic issues of racism and sexism and misogyny. let us get more on this now dating is with us. a lot of reaction coming

into this news, more detail about the timing of all this.— the timing of all this. yes, that's ri . ht. the timing of all this. yes, that's right- the _ the timing of all this. yes, that's right. the timing, _ the timing of all this. yes, that's right. the timing, very _ the timing of all this. yes, that's. right. the timing, very interesting sequence of events. we had last week sadiq khan saying he was extremely concerned, he wanted to see evidence at the met was taking serious action to tackle problems in its culture. that had come in the wake of that report into that police station team which you were just discussing, the report does sound really serious cases of racism, sexism, misogyny, messages exchanged on private messages exchanged on private message whatsapp groups between members of the force there. showing that quite shocking messages. that report came out, i think it identified nine of the 1a officers still impose, to had been promoted. mr khan said he wanted change then

and today we had game cressida saying this morning on the airway she had no intention of leaving, she was going to tackle the change that was going to tackle the change that was needed. then getting a message from mr khan saying he wasn't satisfied with what he heard from her and wanted a meeting this afternoon. she took that as a sign that he had lost confidence, she resigned before she went to that meeting. effectively the mayor withdrawing his confidence in her. it seems to have precipitated all of this. yes, that's the sequence of events. now what we've seen is reaction, city khan saying it's the urgentjob reaction, city khan saying it's the urgent job to reaction, city khan saying it's the urgentjob to root out racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying, missiles you need that still exist in the mat. that is a pretty long charge sheet for the past misogyny. he read out today. game cressida

clearly cross about that in her statement. —— game cressida. she said she recognised that the sarah everard murderer and the consequences that flowed from that, the policing that had caused real damage to the reputation of the police. i think that was her words had damage confidence in the police, she said. this evening we've heard borisjohnson simply a quick statement from him saying that dame cressida serve the country with great distinction he thanked her for her roles rejecting the public and priti patel, she did a brief statement thanking dame cressida saying she held her role during challenging times leading the mat and making streets safer. but now of course, has the job of finding a replacement you would just discussing the replacement, my understanding is that borisjohnson does not have a role in choosing the

new met commissioner. that is a job for priti patel, the home secretary usually this would be a job for police and crime commissioner that is effectively the role that city khan has. but it's the home secretary because of the status of the met police commissioner it's the home secretary who chooses this one. but in consultation and taking due regard for the views of the mayor of london. so it's between the two of them. he has strong import, she is them. he has strong import, she is the final choice i think is the way it works. :, ,, : :, , the final choice i think is the way itworks. :, ,, : :, , :, , , it works. yet home secretary answers to the prime — it works. yet home secretary answers to the prime minister. _ it works. yet home secretary answers to the prime minister. it's _ it works. yet home secretary answers to the prime minister. it's any - it works. yet home secretary answers to the prime minister. it's any home l to the prime minister. it's any home secretary would not be run past downing street, there is going to be a lot of questions around that hour he would of thought. the liberal democrats pushing that line and a lot of people asking how that will work. it also potentially will delay the met inquiry, i suppose. itrai’eiiii work. it also potentially will delay the met inquiry, i suppose. well it? i'm not the met inquiry, i suppose. well it? i'm rrot sure — the met inquiry, i suppose. well it? i'm rrot sure it— the met inquiry, i suppose. well it? i'm not sure it well. _ the met inquiry, i suppose. well it? i'm not sure it well. i _ the met inquiry, i suppose. well it? i'm not sure it well. i did on - the met inquiry, i suppose. well it? i'm not sure it well. i did on both i i'm not sure it well. i did on both of those it's clear that it's the

home secretaries role to approve the new met commissioner. and oversee that. so that's one thing. on the inquiring into downing street parties, it's not clear that this will have any effect on the half of the city khan asked about that today and said he simply wasn't going to comment. he said he would not comment. he said he would not comment on operational matters, that's been his line all along on this issue with downing street parties. and all the way through when he was being questioned, when i met were not investigating. remember, the better and said they were under real pressure with all the revelations coming out and he said they didn't investigate retrospectives allegations. because these went back to 2020. that caused a lots of criticism within the night of the mat. people say well all crimes are retrospectives the mat i think suffered from that statement. what city khan said interestingly in

the interviews he's been doing, comedies she's making evening was that he said the party issue, it's important of not running commentary, element that into the investigation into a prime minister and i think this is the interesting bed, i recognise the use public interest there is particularly because it involves the attitude of our leaders. he talked about the perception of rule makers baking rule breakers and it being important because we police by consent. where he saying there are significant issues at play here. can he saying there are significant issues at play here.— he saying there are significant issues at play here. can i also ask a bit further _ issues at play here. can i also ask a bit further about _ issues at play here. can i also ask a bit further about the _ issues at play here. can i also ask a bit further about the role - issues at play here. can i also ask a bit further about the role of - a bit further about the role of priti patel in this and whether she was involved in all and whether she literally found out about it from cressida deck, laura kunz burke has been tweeting on god. yes. cressida deck, laura kunz burke has been tweeting on god.— been tweeting on god. yes, it's not entirely clear- _ been tweeting on god. yes, it's not entirely clear. the _ been tweeting on god. yes, it's not entirely clear. the implication - been tweeting on god. yes, it's not entirely clear. the implication is i entirely clear. the implication is from all the statements we've seen

so far is that priti patel was not involved. that this was city khan in his role overseeing policing of london who had come as i said earlier, ask cressida dick, said he needed to see evidence that things were being tackled and today said he did not, he was not satisfied with her response. and so it was that intervention by city khan on his own which seems to have prompted cressida dick to say that she clearly didn't have his confidence. i think she said yes, sorry, looking at her statement. the interesting thing is yes, it didn't seem to involve priti patel but i think the metropolitan police commissioner, they lost the confidence of the mayor london it's very difficult for them to continue.— mayor london it's very difficult for them to continue. sorry i know it's difficult to talk and _ them to continue. sorry i know it's difficult to talk and read at - them to continue. sorry i know it's difficult to talk and read at the - difficult to talk and read at the same time. thank you very much

indeed for getting us right up to date with all of that. we can talk now to sarah whose son was one of the victims of the convicted murderer stephen port. port was found guilty at the old bailey in 2016 of the murder of for gay men. betweenjune 201a and september between june 201a and september 2015. at the inquest for the four victims failing by the metropolitan police were found to have contributed to the deaths of three men. i'mjoined now by contributed to the deaths of three men. i'm joined now by the mother of one of those who were killed. sarah is with us. thank you very much indeed forjoining us. and i ask you, how do you feel today seeing this news? t’m you, how do you feel today seeing this news? �* :, , you, how do you feel today seeing this news?— this news? i'm really glad actually because it's _ this news? i'm really glad actually because it's about _ this news? i'm really glad actually because it's about time _ this news? i'm really glad actually because it's about time she - because it's about time she resigned, when i met herjust before

christmas she was totally wishy—washy regarding the fact of homophobia in the mat. she said it was a fantastic place to work for 93v was a fantastic place to work for gay men and women and how they loved working there. shejust gay men and women and how they loved working there. she just was not listening to anything we are trying to say. listening to anything we are trying to sa . ,, , listening to anything we are trying tosa. ,, , , listening to anything we are trying tosa. , , to say. she is openly gay herself. but ou to say. she is openly gay herself. itut you felt _ to say. she is openly gay herself. but you felt that _ to say. she is openly gay herself. but you felt that she _ but you felt that she didn't understand anything that you are trying to tell her? trio. understand anything that you are trying to tell her?— trying to tell her? no, she 'ust ke -t trying to tell her? no, she 'ust kept saying i trying to tell her? no, she 'ust kept saying that i trying to tell her? no, she 'ust kept saying that the i trying to tell her? no, she 'ust kept saying that the mat h trying to tell her? no, she just kept saying that the mat was l trying to tell her? no, she just i kept saying that the mat was such trying to tell her? no, she just - kept saying that the mat was such a great place for gay people to work. and they really enjoyed it. —— matt. i was saying, there are some officers that are homophobic. ijust think this needs someone with more presence and force to stop because every week there's something else in the papers about what they've done and there are some really, really good officers. i have met some

really, really good officers. and been said earlier on, need to be able to come about and say, this is wrong and feel that they can be heard. :, , :, , :, wrong and feel that they can be heard. :, y:, , :, :, , wrong and feel that they can be heard. :, , :, :, , :, heard. can you explain for us what were the police _ heard. can you explain for us what were the police failings _ heard. can you explain for us what were the police failings in - heard. can you explain for us what were the police failings in the - heard. can you explain for us what were the police failings in the case affecting your son?— affecting your son? when he was found in the _ affecting your son? when he was found in the street _ affecting your son? when he was found in the street on _ affecting your son? when he was found in the street on the - affecting your son? when he was found in the street on the 19th i affecting your son? when he was found in the street on the 19th of june within ten days they closed the case down and they weren't investigating it. and the amount of times i tried to speak to them, nobody would answer me, the way we work trait when gabriel was found and then danny was found and everybody was just bringing them up. everything, pink news that involves

and said something is going down and theyjust wouldn't and said something is going down and they just wouldn't listen to anybody. every time i tried speaking to the essay from the very beginning, there's nothing to investigate. it was just very, very lazy police work. investigate. it was 'ust very, very lazy police work._ investigate. it was 'ust very, very lazy peliee werie_ lazy police work. was there any apology at _ lazy police work. was there any apology at any point? - lazy police work. was there any i apology at any point? no, never. lazy police work. was there any - apology at any point? no, never. and not one of them _ apology at any point? no, never. and not one of them officers _ apology at any point? no, never. and not one of them officers ever - apology at any point? no, never. and not one of them officers ever said - not one of them officers ever said sorry for your loss. and i think that's appalling. for anybody to lose a member of their family and for them not even say that. tillie lose a member of their family and for them not even say that. we are obviously all very _ for them not even say that. we are obviously all very sorry _ for them not even say that. we are obviously all very sorry to - for them not even say that. we are obviously all very sorry to hear- for them not even say that. we are obviously all very sorry to hear of l obviously all very sorry to hear of your families loss and obviously all very sorry to hear of yourfamilies loss and i'm sure i speakfor everyone here yourfamilies loss and i'm sure i speak for everyone here listening to that put up it's very difficult i'm sure it's horrendous, the laws that you've been through. you do feel though that cressida dick moving on is a chance for the force to reform? yes, totally. they need somebody thatis

yes, totally. they need somebody that is can actually come along, take charge and not be a political puppet. and with everything that's been going on for the last few weeks they need to come in, take charge, take control of the met and weed out the bad police. fiend take control of the met and weed out the bad police-— the bad police. and without being too speculative _ the bad police. and without being too speculative or _ the bad police. and without being too speculative or two-person - the bad police. and without being too speculative or two-person on | too speculative or two—person on this, you feel her failing was just that she was forceful enough or that she didn't want to bring about the change that was needed? in your view... ,, , :,, �* change that was needed? in your view... ,, , �* view... she 'ust wasn't forceful enou~h view... she 'ust wasn't forceful enough she — view... she just wasn't forceful enough she knew _ view... she just wasn't forceful enough she knew what - view... she just wasn't forceful enough she knew what she - view... she just wasn't forceful enough she knew what she had view... she just wasn't forceful i enough she knew what she had to view... she just wasn't forceful - enough she knew what she had to do but i think she was just too scared to put that into action. ——. t’m but i think she was just too scared to put that into action. --.- to put that into action. --. i'm so sor , to put that into action. --. i'm so sorry. we — to put that into action. --. i'm so sorry. we lost _ to put that into action. --. i'm so sorry, we lost the _ to put that into action. --. i'm so sorry, we lost the end _ to put that into action. --. i'm so sorry, we lost the end of - to put that into action. --. i'm so sorry, we lost the end of your- sorry, we lost the end of your answer with the sound going. we are very grateful to you forjoining us

today. and again, i would deepest condolences that of the loss of family has suffered. thank you. let's get more political reaction to today's news without liberal democrat mp from twickenham joins us. thank you forjoining us. what is your response to the fact that cressida dick has now said she is going to step down?— cressida dick has now said she is going to step down? well, i think for incredibly _ going to step down? well, i think for incredibly hard-working - for incredibly ha rd—working rank—and—file for incredibly hard—working rank—and—file police officers in my constituency and right across london, they deserve i think a change in leadership. i'm very grateful to cressida dick for her many years of service but i think this was the right decision. the main thing now for me and my liberal democratic party is borisjohnson was not in any way be involved in hand—picking her successor, that absolutely cannot be allowed to have been given he is under investigation

himself at the met police over party gate. himself at the met police over party ate. ~ :, :, himself at the met police over party yate_ : :, :, ,:, himself at the met police over party yate_ : :, :, y:, “ himself at the met police over party ate. ~ :, :, ,, :, himself at the met police over party ate. ~ :, :, y:, ,, :, , gate. what do you think have been her key failings? _ gate. what do you think have been her key failings? there _ gate. what do you think have been her key failings? there is - gate. what do you think have been her key failings? there is been - gate. what do you think have been her key failings? there is been sol her key failings? there is been so much criticism of her. is it the police station events there that have been one step too far in terms of maintaining public confidence in her? �* , :, of maintaining public confidence in her? i :, , : of maintaining public confidence in her? �* , :, , : :, of maintaining public confidence in her? �*, :, , her? it's no secret that davey, leader called _ her? it's no secret that davey, leader called on _ her? it's no secret that davey, leader called on president - her? it's no secret that davey, j leader called on president dick her? it's no secret that davey, i leader called on president dick to resign last year over her serious error ofjudgment over the sarah error of judgment over the sarah everard error ofjudgment over the sarah everard vigil and the terrible tone deaf communications from the met police around that time when my inbox was flooded by women living and loving two london and my constituency concerned about how that was handled. —— there's been a whole scandal sense. we just heard

movingly from sarah whose son was one of the victims in the case, which are not case the basic policing errors and incompetence could have saved lives in a subsequent handling by the met and some of the institutional homophobia that we've heard about and now the sexism and the you massage any that we heard about it and it's been confirmed suggest there is a real issue around culture put up and i think a change in leadership is called for. it important to borisjohnson is not involved in the decision—making because we've seen that they were very slow to take action over party gate and i think the fact that johnson was involved in the decision

around cressida dick extension may have had something to do with that. there mustn't be any semblance of johnson's involvement at all in this we know he takes a fairly laissez faire approach to conventions, rules and laws. priti patel must confirm that the pm will not be as involved in the appointment of her successor. how can realistically do not be expected to happen? although officially this might be the decision of the home secretary in conjunction with the mayor, given priti patel is appointed by boris johnson, downing street is in control, is it really plausible that the home office makes the appointment without downing street knowing about it and approving of it? :, �* , , knowing about it and approving of it? :, i , , :, knowing about it and approving of it? , _, it? that's why we need a personal cast-iron assurance _ it? that's why we need a personal cast-iron assurance from - it? that's why we need a personal cast-iron assurance from priti - it? that's why we need a personal. cast-iron assurance from priti patel cast—iron assurance from priti patel that you won't involve borisjohnson in this decision. he is not meant to be, as we've heard from damien earlier that he is not meant to be

but allegedly he was involved in her contract extension last year. i really hope that priti patel can give us her personal assurance. obviously it's important that the mayor of london, as he policing and crime commissionerfor mayor of london, as he policing and crime commissioner for london mayor of london, as he policing and crime commissionerfor london has very strong and put in the decision making process and i hope his views will be taken into account. but we need reassurances from pretty tell about boris johnson's need reassurances from pretty tell about borisjohnson's role. fiend need reassurances from pretty tell about boris johnson's role. and you have faith in — about boris johnson's role. and you have faith in the _ about boris johnson's role. and you have faith in the home _ about boris johnson's role. and you have faith in the home secretary i about boris johnson's role. and you | have faith in the home secretary his ability to take did not do that? given the decision is to be forced by the man not the home secretary. do i have faith in the fact that she will consult with the nails london? know, that she would appoint a successor to cressida dick without involving the prime minister. —— mayor of london. we involving the prime minister. -- mayor of london.— involving the prime minister. -- mayor of london. we can only take our word mayor of london. we can only take your word for _ mayor of london. we can only take your word for it. _ mayor of london. we can only take your word for it. that's _ mayor of london. we can only take your word for it. that's why - mayor of london. we can only take your word for it. that's why i'm - your word for it. that's why i'm asking for a personal cast—iron guarantee from her that she won't

involve him in it. unfortunately, given the national nature of the role it's impossible to think that it can't be taken out of the hands of the home secretary. clearly she has to be involved in that appointment and i hope very much that she can give us assurances that borisjohnson be involved. that she can give us assurances that boris johnson be involved.— that she can give us assurances that boris johnson be involved. thank you ve much boris johnson be involved. thank you very much for— boris johnson be involved. thank you very much forjoining _ boris johnson be involved. thank you very much forjoining us. _ boris johnson be involved. thank you very much forjoining us. let - boris johnson be involved. thank you very much forjoining us. let me - very much forjoining us. let me bring you the reaction from the labour party. the shadow home secretary has issued this statement... a short time ago my colleague russ atkins poked to caroline russell a green party of the london assembly. she said game cressida dick was

right to resign.— right to resign. we've seen complacency. _ right to resign. we've seen complacency, we've - right to resign. we've seen complacency, we've seen l complacency, we've seen defensiveness and a whole stream of defsegsiveness and a whole stream of is just been so many, everard. there isjust been so many, so many examples of a culture within the metropolitan police that is racist, homophobic andjust the metropolitan police that is racist, homophobic and just a sexist and really, really shocking. we saw the stuff that came out earlier this week or at the end of last week from the iop crm the police station. i

think we really do need someone to come and we need the whole barrel has to go and we need new apples and we've got to rebuild the metropolitan police as an organisation that has the trusting confidence of londoners. but if that is our confidence of londoners. but if that is your goal— confidence of londoners. but if that is your goal and _ confidence of londoners. but if that is your goal and you _ confidence of londoners. but if that is your goal and you support - is your goal and you support cressida dick no longer being the leader of the forest, presumably it doesn't stop there, presumably what you'd want now is to see a more fundamental review of who the metropolitan police is staffed by and the culture within the forest. we need absolute deep, deep reform. and i think that has to be carried out in conversation with londoners. black lenders have been telling us for years about the impact of disproportionality in the way that they are stopped and searched —— londoners. the way they are police i think what we've seen over these

last months as more and more things have become apparent, we've had an

how far that looking at was how far that corruption had affected further later attempts to find and try the people or the murder of daniel morgan. and what the panel concluded was, they found it was institutional

corruption in the 8, there still was institutional corruption and the met they found. and that explains the failure to bring anyone to justice for the murder of daniel morgan. so when that report made its findings, the family were pleased, the family of daniel morgan had been campaigning for many years for a finding like this. but while the mets did apologise, dame cressida dick did apologise, nothing really has happened. and that's why it's been described as a betrayal of the family. so this evening i spoke to alastair morgan, daniel's brother led the campaign. i asked him what was his reaction to cressida dick standing down. t was his reaction to cressida dick standing down.— was his reaction to cressida dick standing down. i have to say, i am not sor standing down. i have to say, i am riot sorry to _ standing down. i have to say, i am riot sorry to see — standing down. i have to say, i am not sorry to see her— standing down. i have to say, i am not sorry to see her go. _ standing down. i have to say, i am not sorry to see her go. i'm not i not sorry to see her go. i'm not sor to not sorry to see her go. i'm not sorry to see — not sorry to see her go. i'm not sorry to see her— not sorry to see her go. i'm not sorry to see her go. _ not sorry to see her go. i'm not sorry to see her go. welcome l not sorry to see her go. i'm not l sorry to see her go. welcome are not sorry to see her go. i'm not - sorry to see her go. welcome are you leased sorry to see her go. welcome are you pleased to see _ sorry to see her go. welcome are you pleased to see her— sorry to see her go. welcome are you pleased to see her go? _ sorry to see her go. welcome are you pleased to see her go? yes, - sorry to see her go. welcome are you pleased to see her go? yes, i - sorry to see her go. welcome are you pleased to see her go? yes, i am - pleased to see her go? yes, i am pleased to — pleased to see her go? yes, i am pleased to zero. now we are looking at in organisation that is deeply troubled — at in organisation that is deeply troubled. it's not something they

can sort— troubled. it's not something they can sort out in five minutes. it's a deep _ can sort out in five minutes. it's a deep rooted — can sort out in five minutes. it's a deep rooted culture of problems. and that was deep rooted culture of problems. fich that was alister morgan talking to me just a few moments ago. i did ask him what he was now hopeful that this institutional corruption in the net might be addressed and he said that he wasn't that optimistic. just one case they _ that he wasn't that optimistic. just one case they are investigated. thank you very much for explaining that reaction there from one family due to nice announcement that the met commissioner is now standing down. peter is a retired senior police officer and he was the chief constable of greater manchester police. t constable of greater manchester police. ., ,., constable of greater manchester police. ,, :, police. i think part of the challenge _ police. i think part of the challenge here _ police. i think part of the challenge here is there i police. i think part of the j challenge here is there is police. i think part of the i challenge here is there is no question cressida dick was one of the brightest, was confident police leaders of her generation the trouble is you've now seen a succession of metropolitan police commissioners who had to leave under

a lot of pressure. leroy logan mentioned blair but it's happened to others as well. there is no question that they're being a whole series of events where some could argue it could been dealt with in a different way. but the fact is, it's just the sheer pressure of being the met police commissioner you are caught between a home secretary and the mayor of london. it's increasingly politicized. you get all the pressure of 2a—hour news and social media. you've also got a police force who every day tries to do its best but is basically unreformed. things like trying to tackle misogyny, yes there's always something that a police leader can do but the fact is you are talking about fundamental change. to change the nature of policing, the work officers do and the fact is, is quite clear that cressida dick had a lot of respect from front—line officers to go out into the very best that they can.—

officers to go out into the very best that they can. one more quick -iece best that they can. one more quick piece of reaction _ best that they can. one more quick piece of reaction from _ best that they can. one more quick piece of reaction from harvey - piece of reaction from harvey proctor who said he is delighted that cressida dick is leaving her position he called for is the operation midlands saying she covered up the errors of some of her senior officers. of course a lot of different reaction. the police federation have said they are said that cressida dick is standing down. they'll be much more reaction throughout the evening here on bbc news. for now let's have a look at the weather. hello there. low pressure will continue to clear away from the north of the uk this evening. and then overnight, it's a lot quieter for all areas thanks to a ridge of high pressure. but with a cold air mass in place, light winds, clear skies — it'll be a perfect recipe for a cold and frosty night. quite a hard frost to come across central and northern areas. this is the low pressure system which brought the gales and the rain, sleet, and snow to northern areas pushing off into the north sea, start to see this ridge of high pressure roll in from the west. so the picture is a quieter one

across northern and eastern areas. it's still quite windy for a time, as that low pulls away in the north sea. 1—2 showers across western areas, these wintry across western scotland — it's here where we'll see a risk of ice by the end of the night. but for all areas, it'll be cold with a widespread frost — like i mentioned, quite a hard frost across some northern areas. so it's a cold, frosty, but bright and sunny morning for friday, and it stays dry and sunny throughout the day. a few showers across northern and western areas — these will be of a wintry flavour — and then, later in the day, ahead of the next weather fronts start to see breeze and cloud building up out west. temperature wise, a—9 celsius — that's around, or maybe just a little below the seasonal norm. so as we move out of friday and into the start of the weekend, it turns more unsettled again, got this deep area of low pressure hurtling in off the atlantic, it'll bring wet and windy weather to northern and western areas, some of the rain will be quite heavy over western hills. but a dry and a bright day, i think, for much of the south east.

the cloud tending to build up here, but i think it will stay dry until after dark. temperature wise, a single figures for most, but we could start to see something a little bit milder pushing it across southern and western areas. turns wet and windier across the southeast to during saturday night, then it's quieterfor a time. into sunday, we've got another area of low pressure, this time pushing in across the southwest. so we start off with a lot of dry weather around variable cloud, bit of sunshine, 1—2 showers around, then it starts to turn wetter and windier across wales, central, and southern england through the course of sunday. some really heavy rainfall at times, too. a bit milder in the south, 10—11 celsius, a little bit fresher further north where we'll see sunshine and showers. as that low pulls away, then it's another cold, largely dry and bright day on monday, but thereafter, a series of low pressure systems will hurtle into next week, bringing a very unsettled week, wet and windy weather at times, but milder in the south.

hello, i'm nuala mcgovern. you're watching context on bbc news. the head of the metropolitan police here in london steps down from her role. dame cressida dick, who had been in the post for four years , had faced a series of damaging controversies during her career. as russia begins new military exercises close to the border with ukraine , nato's leader has this warning. this is a dangerous moment for european security. the number of russian forces is going up, the whining time for a possible attack is going down. and canadian truckers block a second bridge in their protest over covid restrictions, with the economy and trade now counting the cost.

tonight with the context, ed vaizey, former conservative mp, now a member of the house of lords