London police chief Blair to quit

The controversial head says it is a personal decision

LONDON: Britain’s most senior policeman Ian Blair will announce his resignation as head of London’s police force on Thursday, Sky News and the BBC reported. A Scotland Yard spokeswoman could not confirm the reports, but said: “We’re hearing that a statement is going to be released, but we don’t know at what time or where, or who it involves.”

The Evening Standard reported Blair had resigned and had said it was a personal decision. Blair’s contract as London’s Commissioner of Police formally ends in January 2010.

Last month Blair dismissed reports he would be ousted by the end of the year, saying: “the report of my death is an exaggeration.” The Times had said that ministers and other police chiefs were secretly preparing plans to remove Blair, who has been dogged by controversy since taking over London’s Metropolitan Police Service in February 2005.

Blair has regularly been criticised in the media since becoming Commissioner. The Oxford University graduate has also been unpopular with members of his force who feel he is too politically correct.

Most recently, Blair has become embroiled in an embarrassing high profile row with the highest ranking Muslim officer, Asst Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, who has accused him of racial discrimination.