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Ministers plotting to oust Met police chief Sir Ian Blair, report says

by Dave Keating | September 4, 2008 at 03:18 am

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According to reports, UK ministers are planning to request that the Metropolitan Polive commissioner of London to step down, after he has been embroiled in a series of controversies including accusations of institutionalized racism within the department.

Ministers, officials and senior police chiefs have been secretly discussing plans to oust Sir Ian Blair, the embattled commissioner of the Metropolitan police, before his contract runs out in February 2010, it was reported today.

The Times reports one senior source as saying "the grey suits are gathering", while another "well-placed" source is quoted as saying: "He has become the issue. There comes a point when fairness has nothing to do with it and what matters is the integrity of the organisation."

Scotland Yard said in a statement that no discussions had taken place about Blair's contract. "The commissioner still has 18 months to serve on his original contract and has had no discussions with anyone about this being extended and has received no written correspondence on this matter."