Ian Blair denies job rumours

The Metropolitan police commissioner Sir Ian Blair has denied that there is a plot to oust him from his role before his contract runs out in February 2010. Outside Scotland Yard yesterday he dismissed reports that ministers, officials and senior police chiefs have met to discuss how to remove him. Quoting Mark Twain, he told reporters: "The report of my death is an exaggeration. I have a job to do: I am getting on with it and will continue to do so."

Yesterday the Times reported one "senior source" as saying "the grey suits are gathering" and said that Blair would be told in writing this week that his contract would not be renewed. A Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) spokesman said yesterday that no letters had been or were about to be sent in the case of Blair.