New Scotland Yard chief Cressida Dick to start work with £40k pay cut and no police pension

Pic:New Met chief Cressida Dick will be paid £40k less than her predecessor 

Staff reporter(wp/es):

New Scotland Yard chief Cressida Dick is to take charge of the force next Monday with a £40,000 self-imposed pay cut, it was revealed today. 

Mayor Sadiq Khan said she would take up her role new week becoming the most powerful police officer in the country and the first woman in charge of the force in its 188 year history.

However, the announcement also revealed that Ms Dick, 56, had been offered the £270,648 salary of her predecessor, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, as advertised for the role, but instead she had chosen to take the salary of £230,000.

The decision to take a 15 per cent pay cut is said to have been a “personal choice.”

Ms Dick will also not receive a police pension while she is in the job.

The statement issued by the Mayor does not include an explanation for her decision but it says she takes up her post at a challenging time in the Met’s recent history, “when budgets continue to be tightened, London’s population is booming, some crimes are rising and following the recent horrific terrorist attack in Westminster.“

One of her first engagements will be to attend the full police funeral of PC Keith Palmer in Southwark Cathedral next Monday.

PC Palmer, 48, was killed in the terror attack on March 22 when he tried to stop fanatic Khalid Masood from running into the Palace of Westminster armed with two knives. Masood was shot dead by an armed protection officer. 

Ms Dick is understood to have attended Scotland Yard regularly since the terror crisis at a time she was due to be on holiday.

An insider said: “It was all hands to the pump. She has been low key but her input has been very impressive, she has been very calm.”

Ms Dick, who first joined the Met in 1983, said in a statement: “It is a great honour and privilege for me to be taking up this role. I am looking forward to leading what I believe to be the world’s best police service.

“The Met’s response to the terrible events in Westminster demonstrated it is highly professional and effective.

"I am grateful to my predecessor and his team for the planning that went into building such a response and also to Craig Mackey and Mark Rowley for the way in which they have demonstrated such capable and compassionate leadership.

“Terrorism is just one of the challenges we face. Alongside the Mayor and every single one of our officers and staff I will work tirelessly to keep our city safe.”

Mr Khan said: “Our Metropolitan police do an incredible job, working hard with enormous dedication every single day to keep Londoners safe, so it is vital that they have the best possible leader and I know we have found her in Cressida Dick.

“Cressida has already had a long and distinguished career, and brings enormous experience and expertise to lead the Met through some challenging times.

"I am very much looking forward to working with her to keep our capital safe and protected."

David Cameron's son hailed a hero for running to aid of injured Kensington cyclist

Pic:The Camerons, Elwen (right) and friends helped the injured woman

Staff reporter(wp/es):

David Cameron’s son has been hailed a hero after running to the rescue of an injured cyclist in west London with his school friends.

Elwen, 11, and three pals have been praised for their quick thinking after the woman fell from her bike in Kensington.

The St Mary Abbots Primary School pupil phoned for an ambulance, as he and the classmates “took control of situation”, The Sunday Times reported.

After phoning for help, the group stayed with the woman and comforted her until emergency services arrived.

Head teacher Nicola Doyle told the paper: “The boys demonstrated quick thinking and calmness under pressure in a challenging situation.

“Though emergency services are not able to the individual patient, the pupils are to be commended for their maturity and doing the right thing to help. “

She said the school wished the cyclist a speedy recovery.

Elwen is the second of Mr Cameron’s children to go to the Kensington Church of England school after his sister Nancy attended.

Protesters clash in London as far-right EDL marchers met by anti-fascists

Staff reporter(wp/es):

Protesters clashed in central London as far-right supporters were met by anti-fascist campaigners in central London.

A march and rally planned by Britain First and the English Defence League (EDL) is taking place near a counter demonstration from Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

Frantic scenes unfolded when ex-EDL leader Tommy Robinson arrived and a high number of police officers moved to contain potential trouble.

Police said 12 people had been arrested by 2pm as the protests continued through the capital.

Crowds had gathered in Trafalgar Square from around midday and must obey conditions imposed by the Metropolitan Police which include following a set route.

UAF protesters, who appeared to vastly outnumber the far-right, chanted "EDL go to hell" and hundreds of protesters spilled onto the surrounding roads.

Many of those taking part wore masks which covered their faces.

Scotland Yard said on Friday that the information and intelligence available to the Met meant that they felt it necessary to impose the conditions to prevent the demonstrations from resulting in "serious disorder, serious damage to property, serious disruption to the life of the community, and to prevent the intimidation of local people trying to go about their business".

Chief Superintendent Catherine Roper said: "The right to protest is a fundamental right in our democratic society, but this right must be balanced against the right of people to go about their day without fear of violence, disorder or disruption.

"Experience has shown us that when groups with conflicting views come together it can create tension and disorder, not just on the day itself but in the longer term.

"What we have had to carefully consider is how to balance the right to protest with the negative impact on our communities and potential violence and disorder that may have resulted from these protests going ahead as they were suggested.

"If you want to protest on Saturday, we ask that you do so peacefully, no matter what your view. We will adopt a robust arrest policy on anyone who attends and is intent on violence and disorder, or is in breach of these conditions."

World War Two bomb discovered in Thames on Boat Race route

Staff reporter(wp/es):

An unexploded World War Two bomb is believed to have been discovered on the banks of the Thames in Putney just one day before the Boat Race.

Scotland Yard confirmed they had been called to an area of the Chelsea shoreline close to Putney Bridge just before 1pm on Saturday.

A spokeswoman said: “Police were called at approximately 1.50pm on Saturday  to the Chelsea shoreline by Putney Bridge, following reports of the discovery of what is believed to be World War Two ordnance.

“Officers including the Marine Policing Unit are in attendance.”

The discovery comes just one day before the 163rd Boat race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

The device is believed to be on the route of the iconic annual event.

Police hunt thug after Islington bus passenger punched and attacked on ground

Crime reporter(wp/es):

Police are hunting a thug after a bus passenger was punched in the face before being thrown to the pavement and attacked.

The victim, a 44-year-old, was trying to board a bus near the council offices in Upper Street, Islington, when the man lashed out at him, police say.

He was then hurled on to the ground and attacked as he lay on the floor before the assailant, who was clutching a Waitrose shopping bag, walked off towards Angel.

The injured man was rushed to hospital where he remains, days after the March 28 attack, which took place at around 3.30pm.

Police say the attacker was black, aged from 25 to 35, and of athletic build with short, possibly receding hair.

He wore a smart, dark jacket and dark trousers. Police say the man was between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 11ins tall.

Following the incident, detectives have released a CCTV image of a man they want to trace.

Six arrests as police officers surrounded and attacked during violence in Islington

Crime reporter(wp/es):

Police officers were surrounded and attacked as violence erupted during an arrest in north London.

Witnesses said the area was like a "war zone" as riot police reportedly descended on Islington on Thursday night.

Scotland Yard said its officers used tear gas after they were assaulted while arresting a man in Arbon Court in Linton Street.

Six people, including the original suspect, were eventually arrested on suspicion of a range of offences including assault.

The Met said that several officers had been assaulted but none sustained injuries.

Residents told how police helicopters were seen circling over the area while police cars tore through the streets as the disorder broke out.

Witness James Watthey told the Weastar Times: “It was pretty alarming. I was just trying to eat in the garden while watching the chopper circling overhead. 

“I’m guessing there was some kind of pursuit from Upper Street towards Old Street as that’s where the sirens seemed to be heading.”

Others commented on the noise, with Ben Fisher tweeting: “What’s going on in Islington? Two helicopters? I’m getting tired of the house shaking now.”

Photos posted on social media show scores of police cars and vans descending on the housing estate.

Harriet Fox said: “Is this really just one helicopter hovering above Islington?

“Sounds like a whole damn pack. What’s happening out there?"

During the incident, some officers were assaulted although none were injured.

“Six people - no further details - were arrested, including the man police initially attended to arrest, for a variety of offences including public order and assault. They remain in custody.

“There were no reports of any other injuries.”

Theresa May triggers Article 50 and begins UK's departure from European Union

Pic:UK envoy Tim Barrow (left) hands Donald Tusk the letter giving Britain’s formal exit notice.
Political reporter(wp/es):
Theresa May has told Parliament that she accepts Brexit will carry consequences for the United Kingdom, as a letter delivered to Brussels began a two-year countdown to Britain’s departure from the European Union.

The prime minister took to her feet minutes after the European council president, Donald Tusk, confirmed that he had received notification, declaring that “the UK has delivered Brexit” nine months after a bruising referendum campaign.

“We understand that there will be consequences for the UK of leaving the EU. We know that we will lose influence over the rules that affect the European economy. We know that UK companies that trade with the EU will have to align with rules agreed by institutions of which we are no longer a part, just as we do in other overseas markets. We accept that,” she said.

A number of MPs congratulated the prime minister on the tone of her letter to Tusk, which stressed Britain’s commitment to the continent as a close friend and ally. But others accused her of issuing a “blatant threat” to withdraw security cooperation if the EU27 fails to deliver on a trade agreement. The letter suggests that the government hopes to roll the separate issues together, claiming no deal will mean WTO rules but also “mean our cooperation in the fight against crime and terrorism would be weakened”.

May’s spokesman repeatedly insisted placing security and trade relations alongside each other in the letter to Tusk was not intended as a threat. “It’s a simple statement of fact that if we leave the EU without a deal, then the arrangements we have as part of our EU membership will lapse,” he said.

The prime minister made clear that 29 March 2019 would be “a day of celebration for some and disappointment for others” – a point underlined as passionate campaigners on either side of the debate rose after her statement to put forward their arguments.

“The referendum last June was divisive at times. Not everyone shared the same point of view, or voted in the same way. The arguments on both side were passionate,” she said.

May insisted that her government accepted the repeated warnings from European leaders that Britain could not “cherry-pick” during EU negotiations – and that was why it would not be seeking to remain a full member of the single market.

She urged her European counterparts to help secure a “bold and ambitious free trade agreement” between the EU27 and the UK as she promised to approach the talks “constructively, respectfully, and in a spirit of sincere cooperation”. May stressed a number of times that she wanted a “new deep and special partnership” with the rest of the EU.

She made clear that in her eyes, there was now no way to stop the UK’s journey towards Brexit, which she said was her government acting on the “democratic will of the British people”.

“This is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back. Britain is leaving the European Union. We are going to make our own decisions and our own laws. We are going to take control of the things that matter most to us. And we are going to take this opportunity to build a stronger, fairer Britain – a country that our children and grandchildren are proud to call home,” said the prime minister, arguing that leaving the EU was both an “ambition and an opportunity”.

She warned that security in Europe was more fragile than at any time since the cold war, warning that any weakening of cooperation would be a “costly mistake”