New Met commissioner selected
By politics.co.uk staff
The new head of the Metropolitan police has been selected after interviews with the London mayor and the home secretary.
Current acting deputy commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe will take on the role after beating Sir Hugh Orde, Tim Godwin and Stephen House to the post.
"It is my intention to build on public trust in the MPS and lead a service that criminals will fear and staff will be proud to work for," Mr Hogan-Howe said after the announcement.
Boris Johnson said: "Over recent weeks London has faced immense policing challenges and I truly believe that Bernard Hogan-Howe has the sound expertise to handle critical issues and keep our streets safe.
"It's no secret that I desired someone who has a clear strategy for tackling gang violence and youth crime and restoring pride in our great city."
Mr Hogan-Howe has a mild reputation for authoritarianism after he spoke out against the case brought against the Met for the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes and the downgrading of cannabis from class B to C.
Many political pundits and serving police officers were disappointed that Sir Hugh did not win the post, with observers keen to see the outspoken former head of policing in Northern Ireland clash publicly with the government on issues such as elected commissioners.
Early reports suggested he was the frontrunner after a series of interviews, but Ms May and Mr Johnson will have been keen to prevent him taking the job.
Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) members' interview with the four applicants led them to recommend just Sir Hugh and Mr Hogan-Howe, but Ms May and Mr Johnson ended up interviewing all four candidates.
