"LONDON LIB DEMS CALL ON MPA TO SACK POLICE COMMISSIONER" - TUFFREY

3.00.00pm GMT Wed 7th Nov 2007

A Majority of the London Assembly today passed a Liberal Democrat motion calling on the Metropolitan Police Authority to remove Ian Blair from office.

The vote followed a meeting this morning at which Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair and MPA Chairman Len Duval were scrutinized by the London Assembly on policing in London.

Liberal Democrat Leader on the London Assembly, Mike Tuffrey, said:

"The debate over the Commissioner's future is now getting in the way of the good policing of London. Sir Ian Blair told the Assembly this morning that he was accountable but not personally responsible for the Stockwell shooting. If we are to see public confidence restored, he must be seen to act on that accountability and should resign.

'A Majority of the assembly have supported our motion calling on the Metropolitan Police Authority to take the necessary steps to end the debate and remove Sir Ian from his post, if necessary, by obtaining the permission of the Home Secretary." ENDS