Tag Archives: ian blair

Sir Ian Blair

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Oh Sir Ian! Our police chief never ceases to have to apologise for putting his foot in it. On today’s news – the recording secretly of private conversations – you have to think that he is doing it for a reason. It may be, given the vulnerability of his position, he feels he needs back-up in case briefings against him begin (or continue). I think he is in trouble. And I think if the IPCC report looking at communications – subtext Ian Blair’s role and actions post Stockwell – find him wanting, then he’s probably a gonner.

It’s odd really. Knowing him from five years on the Met Police Authority when he was Deputy Commissioner – he so wanted this job. It must be like a nightmare for him for it all to go so off track so soon. It’s about trying to manage business and media – that’s his problem. And he has never been viewed as a ‘coppers’ copper’ the way Sir John Stevens was. And he is extremely political.

However, more to the local point, he has promised to come and discuss the future of police stations in Haringey – and that’s an important discussion. Not just for Haringey – but for the future of policing more generally. They have a natural tendency to centralise – and we the people know that we need police amongst us to be successful.

During the day I visit a group of residents in Dukes Avenue, who before humps were introduced in their street, were already desperate to stop lorries racing down their narrow residential street as a cut through. Since the humps have come – the noise and vibration is unbearable. I have already met with the senior traffic officers at Haringey to beg for action against the lorries – and although they say they agree, they want to wait for works on the North Circular etc before taking any action. However, with the humps, the problem is exacerbated. So this time, am taking another tack, and asking the Council what they need in way of evidence to take action. Is it number of trucks? Is it levels of noise? Is it damage to cars? Is it number of people in which roads supporting pinch points in two locations to simply stop the through lorries? We will see what the response is.

Muswell Hill police station and the Wood Green kiosk

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Had meeting with Sir Ian Blair to discuss a number of issues around policing. The number one for us is the possibility that our police stations in Haringey may be ‘reorganised’ as they are not ‘fit for purpose’.

So I use the opportunity to get assurances that nothing will close (having spent so many years campaigning to get the front counter open at Muswell Hill) before equal or better alternatives are put in place.

Sir Ian said he would like to know what people think – so I am doing my best to find out for him! I suggested a survey – and he immediately suggested a meeting between myself, himself, our local Commander Simon O’Brian and someone from Met Estates to establish their ‘vision’ first.

Of course “equal or better alternative” can mean a lot of different things to different people; for example, if someone believes in heavily centralised services a few super-police stations, they could say that means axing the local stations is ok as the alternative is – they would say – better. Now, that’s not a view I’d agree with – policing works best when it is based in the local community. So – we need to keep the pressure up despite this assurance. “Equal or better” must mean local policing, locally delivered. So – that means a petition amongst other things. (You can get a petition form from my main website).

I also tackled him about the police kiosk in Wood Green which was a great idea putting police on the street right at the crucial spot – but it was hardly ever open. And unless it was manned, and reliable – people would never feel confident to rely on it. Now it faces being demolished. It would be much better to keep it – and put it to full use. Sir Ian didn’t know about it but has promised to investigate. (More details on that on my main website too).

And some good news on another subject – I have been nominated for a New Statesman 2006 New Media Award in the “Elected representative” category.

Simon Hughes

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Simon Hughes is indeed in the tabloids today – as being gay or bi-sexual. Now, it is hardly news to anyone I know – but Simon has always protected his right to keep his private life private – and I support him on that. But the attack is because a week ago to three newspapers he denied he was gay. I guess he was cornered and the question was never going to go away – and he just made an error of judgement. The media say he lied. I think he just defended himself badly. So another roller coaster for the party to bear as this latest news works its way through the rounds of the media.

It is the first question Steve Richards asks myself, Ed Davey and Phil WIllis who are having a pre-recorded panel session which will go out Saturday at 11am – the Week in Westminster. This is a panel of the key supporters for the leadership – me for Chris Huhne, Phil Willis for Simon Hughes and Ed Davey for Menzies Campbell. So – whilst none of us would go on any media to discuss Simon – once they’ve got you there anyway, there’s no stopping the question. We all basically defended Simon’s right to privacy and right to be whatever sexual orientation he wanted. Then, thank goodness, we get on to policy areas and have a right good ding dong. Great fun!

I get a call last thing because we (Lib Dems) need to put out a statement on Sir Ian Blair’s attack on the media for being biased towards coverage of white murders. For bizarre reasons he chooses Soham as an example of their bias. I remember the coverage at the time – because first the poor girls were missing and we all went on that journey of anxiety as we moved toward the eventual horrific reality. It would have been the same what ever colour the girls were. It was a huge story and the press were bound to follow that one.

However, Ian Blair is right to highlight the issue of bias in coverage. But when I think back I can remember examples both ways – when two murders occur when sometimes the black murder will be covered and sometimes the white. So methinks we need proper examination of this issue – as it is a very important one. We need to look at the way information about a murder gets to the press. Which stories originate from the police forces themselves. What are their policies in terms of media liaison over murders. Let’s have an analysis of all murders and their coverage over the last few years and see what led to what. I am not happy about statements that are not backed up by factual analysis on this. So I welcome the opening up of this as an area for concern – but let’s get it right and based on factual information.

Get home late – just in time for Question Time and Simon Hughes is on tonight. I don’t know if it’s good or bad to have such a media opportunity at this point when there is a feeding frenzy around him. It did give Simon the chance to put his case – which he did as well as he could under the circumstances.

Sports facilities for Haringey children

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Rush up to New Scotland Yard for meeting with Sir Ian Blair. I accompany our Shadow Home Secretary – Mark Oaten – as I am Police Spokesperson for the Lib Dems and worked with Sir Ian for 5 years on the Metropolitan Police Authority. The meeting was private, not unnaturally, but it wouldn’t be talking out of school to say that it covered the ground you would expect in terms of the terror bill, Sir Ian’s ‘debate’ with the people over the future of policing; the shooting of Mr de Menezes and the proposal to merge police forces. (My latest newspaper column has more on all this).

Then literally dash back to the constituency to go to the opening of the new facilities at the New River Sports Centre. Barclays have put in £600,000 as part of their program for sports spaces right across the country. Although they will undoubtedly get great advertising out of it – you have to be impressed with the re-invented tennis and football and track facilities. I hope we get at least one kid who comes from Haringey through this system and into the Olympics in 2012!

60 kids from Broadwater Primary School are joining us for the cameras and events etc – but their coach has broken down and they are late and having to come on public transport the rest of the way. Luckily the day is gloriously sunny (though cold) and they eventually arrive and the ceremonies begin. I am there, as is Charles Adje, Council Leader, and we obligingly do as we are told for the photo ops. Two Tottenham Hotspurs players (both Michaels) are there as is a chap from GMTV. Celebs or what!

A great day and great hopes for the future.

Then – dash, dash, dash, via my HQ to do signing and reading back up to Westminster for debate, meetings and discussions. We vote at 7 and 10pm on climate change and then home.

How often should the police stop Muslims?

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Metropolitan Police Authority meeting – and the new Commissioner Sir Ian Blair got a right bollocking. No other way to express it. The members took him to task over his remarks on it being inevitable that more Muslims would be stopped under section 44 of the Terrorism Act – so basically they shouldn’t be surprised or make a fuss if they get stopped disproportionally.

Everyone was pretty outraged and wanted their two-pennyworth. It was an appalling lapse – and when it came to my pound of flesh – I said exactly what I thought.

Which was that the problem with saying something like that was that the police are still struggling to even admit that such a thing as disproportionality exists; because Sir John Stevens (Blair’s predecessor) would not admit there was racial bias in the Met; because of documentaries like the Secret Policeman – ethnic minority communities (and quite a lot of everyone else actually) believe that there still is plenty for the police to do to eradicate racism from their ranks.

And until the good stuff that is happening at some levels in the Met permeates to all levels – careless remarks will be taken badly as they were in this case.

Beating over – Sir Ian looked relieved as the topic moved on to his root and branch review of the Met. And that’s a whole other chestnut yet to come.

A round of GLA meetings

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Meet with Tim O’Toole (MD London Underground/TfL) to see if there are any areas of difficulty with the private companies running the tube that I should be questioning them on when they come in front of me in March. He reveals absolutely nothing.

I stay on for private meeting about the Highgate Tube station fence which we are all trying to sort out so that it delivers a reasonable view to both Priory Gardens and Archway Road AND so that the noise is not reflected back at Archway Road residents AND at the same time noise is reduced for all the others. Quite a challenge! Reasonable progress I hope.

Then drinks with the new Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair. Very interesting discussions with various bods who were there – all of whom seem to think Hornsey & Wood Green will fall to the LibDems. Obviously these discussions go on in high places…!

Ken wants me to be nicer to him!

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Meeting of the full Metropolitan Police Authority at which Sir Ian Blair is anointed and announced as the next Met Commissioner. No surprise there. He’s been trailed for at least 4 years as the heir apparent to Sir John Stevens (who is standing down). I wish him well.

Other business covered the funding of step change / safer neighbourhoods scheme, which involves putting lots more police on the ground in local communities. Everyone wants it rolled out across London but will the money be found for it? It’s looking unlikely that it will be fully funded in the Government’s announcements next week.

Then back to the GLA where our office Liaison Manager tells me that the Mayor’s press office have been moaning to him that I am too negative about the Mayor. Honestly Ken – I do think you are able to defend yourself perfectly adequately without sending someone to wheedle on your behalf.

I think Ken has done some brilliant things – but since becoming a Labour Mayor the

dynamic at London Government has fundamentally changed. Ken is now definitely a Mayor for Labour and not for a Greater London.

Police Authority

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Annual General Meeting of the new term of the Metropolitan Police Authority at which we (the members) vote for the Chair, Deputies and Chairs of committees etc.

Since the previous Chair, Labour Assembly Member Toby Harris, failed to get re-elected, Labour have been running around trying to ensure a Labour succession to the chairmanship. As at least half the so called ‘independents’ on the MPA are Labour hacks of one sort or another – Len Duvall is duly enthroned. For what it is worth, he has my support anyway. I think he’s probably the only Labour member who could do the job – and none of the other contenders could have garnered enough support.

Of course, the other member of note, was the new Home Secretary’s Independent appointment to the MPA – none other than – yes you have guessed it – that well-known, independent Toby Harris! So independent of political affiliation – not!

Anyway – rather than bore you with the rest of the nominations and positions etc, I’ll move onto the Commissioner getting a bit rattled by the discussion on Stop and Search. Having just had the explosion in the media over the rise of stops on the Asian Community under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act – he was keen to put into the arena completely different statistics.

I make my comments – and I guess we left it that we agree to disagree. I still don’t think the Met fully realise or acknowledge the extent of racial bias we found in the Stop and Search scrutiny – and I think it must be because it is subliminal – almost unintentional.

Deputy Commissioner Blair came over for a chat and to ask if I had received his letter to me in reply to my letter over the DNA testing of black men in South London to find a serial rapist who has for many years committed these crimes against elderly ladies. It is an horrific crime and the police are desperate to get their man.

However, I am of the view that this ‘voluntary’ process inviting the 1000 or so members of the community who fit the racial DNA picture to come give their DNA has some real issues around intimidation. Sir Ian Blair argues in his letter that basically the end justifies the means – and even I can see how hard it must be to know you can get him – and then not be able to do the tests. In his letter, Sir Ian says that out of ‘125 initial refusals, only need to use powers of arrest in five cases’.

I have written back to ask whether they were arrested because they refused to give DNA samples or arrested on another charge and whilst under arrest DNA was then taken. There are some very difficult issues around this taking of DNA from anyone brought to a police station whether charged or not – a result of recent changes to legislation which I believe will discriminate against ethnic communities and also begin a slippery slide to loss of civil liberties.

It is easy, when a crime is this horrific, to say it is so important that just this time we will employ effectively mandatory testing. But once protections of our rights are gone for one reason – it is so easy for them to be eroded.

I feel that the police are cross with me for pursuing this and I have had one email from an old lady in South London cross with me for questionning these tactics. But I do feel the need to follow this through.

And if it is mandatory testing – then let us have the cajones to state it outright, change legislation – but let us not have the hypocrisy of pretending there is anything voluntary about this process. And if the Government really wants a DNA database of the whole country – then let them stand on that platform and propose it publicly and have the battle. The legislation they have passed simply lets it in through the back door – and is the sort of legislation that in practice I believe will lead to the communities suffering further bias.

Landslide in Stroud Green

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Off early to the Met Police Authority for full authority meeting and pre-meeting interview with London Today. Today was the day that cannabis would be declassified from a B to C drug.

I had issued a news release about asking the Met Police Commissioner how he was going to make sure that the confusion surrounding the new law was clarified for all officers so that people would not be subject to ‘postcode policing’. Whatever you think of this move – it is clear that you simply cannot have people treated differently in different boroughs or simply by different police officers. Nightmare scenarios.

I did the interview and tackled Deputy Commissioner Ian Blair in the meeting. He tried to reassure the Authority that there would be equal treatment and that the guidelines and training were in place. I still think confusion will reign and that this move by the government is neither fish nor fowl – but a step in the right direction.

I then rush back to Stroud Green to stomp the icy streets knocking up to try and get our supporters to go out and vote. Stomp around to 9pm when polls close – except for one minor disaster. Get a phonecall on my mobile from youngest daughter to say she has arrived home from school and forgotten her key and is freezing on doorstep. Panic – as don’t have any means to get home and let her in and don’t want to lose any time on the door steps.

Luckily, another activist was just going home by car and offered to take me to Highgate where I live.

Found daughter shivering and nasty colour – let her in and fumed off. Dug my car out (hate driving at best of times let alone in icy conditions and my road was pure ice) and drove back to Stroud Green Committee Room.

I was waiting there when the polls closed to take anyone straggling back to the Town Hall for the count. Simon Hughes turned up at about 9.10pm, having been babysitting for a woman whose door he had knocked on and who had said she couldn’t vote because of the baby. So he had said he would sit with the babe while she voted. Which he did! Typical Simon!

Then I drove a car load to the Civic Centre for the count. I was up in the gallery watching as were the other parties who were not actually down in the chamber itself as counting agents. Very soon after the first ballot box was emptied it was clear we had a landslide victory – but I was in shock.

Had not really felt this astonishing result looming on the doorstep. At about 6pm I had begun to feel we might possibly just win – but we won hugely with a swing of 29%. Massive – delivering a real body blow to Labour and for that matter, the Greens who had this as one of their top targets in London.

Laura Edge, our LibDem candidate got 1135, Labour 408, Greens 403 and Tories 166.

An amazing result – so we all skidaddled back to my house for some champagne. It was a really happy night!

Doreen Lawrence

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Stop and Search scrutiny session at the Metropolitan Police Authority. Before us came Doreen Lawrence, mother of Stephen. What an impressive, intelligent and coherent woman she is.

This was the penultimate session of our scrutiny – just the Deputy Commissioner, Ian Blair left before we go into our deliberations on the evidence and come up with our recommendations. I suspect they will be pretty robust.