Blair’s parting shot at Johnson

Outgoing Metropolitan Police chief Sir Ian Blair leaves his office today with a parting shot at London Mayor Boris Johnson. He accused the man who ousted him of making a "very political move" that could destabilise the Police Service.
In an interview he warned that his successor could be forced out in the same way in four years' time unless the politics was taken out of policing.
Sir Ian, who leaves the London force today with a £300,000 payoff, called for the legislation which defines how a commissioner is appointed to be re-examined and said his dismissal was "an imitation of New York".
He also said he was taken aback to find he was effectively being removed from his post after going to what he believed was "a routine meeting" with Johnson, only to be told that the mayor had lost confidence in his leadership of the force.
After changes to the law earlier this year the Metropolitan Police Authority, which oversees the force and approves its strategies and spending, is chaired by the mayor.