In the UK, the boss of the London police resigns

Commissioner Cressida Dick with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan in November 2021 in London.

AFP - VICTORIA JONES

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Cressida Dick had been in charge of the Metropolitan Police for four years.

But the mayor of the capital of the United Kingdom had withdrawn his confidence.

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With our correspondent in London,

Émeline Vin

It was after an interview with Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, that Cressida Dick announced his resignation.

“ 

The mayor no longer has enough confidence in me to keep me in my post.

He leaves me no choice but to resign

 ,” she said.

If Sadiq Khan has withdrawn his confidence in the boss of the London police, it is because of recent revelations of a racist, misogynistic, homophobic culture within the Metropolitan Police.

The legitimacy of the "Met" was also in question due to the delay of the police in opening an investigation into the Downing Street parties, and the 2020 murder of Sarah Everard by an officer.

Earlier Wednesday, Cressida Dick had however assured that she had no intention of resigning.

But for the mayor, only a new leader can lead the necessary cultural changes.

The commissioner expressed in the evening her “ 

enormous sadness 

” and her pride in her teams.

She will remain in place until her or his successor is appointed by the government.

A government whose leader, Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson, is under investigation for breaching health rules during confinement.

►Read also: In the UK, former Prime Minister John Major tackles Boris Johnson

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