Mayor of London Boris Johnson stands down as Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority
Wednesday, 27 January, 2010
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson today stood down as Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA). The Mayor has nominated his Deputy Mayor for Policing Kit Malthouse as Chair of the MPA, and Reshard Auladin, an Independent Member, as Vice Chair.
In the fifteen months that the Mayor has been Chair of the Authority, he has honoured his manifesto commitment to Londoners by fighting crime, increasing public confidence and providing value for money in policing.
He personally presided over the selection of a new Commissioner and his 'top team' and put in place Met Forward, the MPA's strategic direction for policing in London over the next three years.
The Mayor is confident that Kit Malthouse is exactly the right person to take forward the Mayoral priorities and direction he has set, to oversee the delivery of Met Forward, and to work closely with senior management at the Met to reduce crime and make London a safer city.
The Mayor said:
"During my time as Chair of the MPA, I have found it to be an honour to work alongside the men and women of the Met and experience at first hand their loyalty, bravery and commitment to keeping Londoners safe.
"I am also grateful to members and staff of the MPA for their contribution to policing in London, in particular for their roles in scrutiny and oversight of the Met.
"But let it be clear that as London's directly elected Mayor, I still retain control over policing in the capital and will continue to maintain a relationship with Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson.
"I am very proud of what we have achieved over the months we have worked together to make London safer and cut crime. I am fully confident that Kit and Reshard, together with the members of the Authority, will continue the good work."
Kit Malthouse, Vice Chair of the MPA, said:
"I am very proud to be nominated as Chair of the MPA and will continue to deliver on London's priorities to fight crime and make London safer on behalf of the Mayor. We have already made serious inroads to reduce the crimes that most concern Londoners, including teen killings, which have more than halved, but there is still a long way to go. I look forward to working alongside the Mayor, the Commissioner, his top team and all the brave men and women of the Met, as well as the members of the Authority.
