Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick
(Picture: PA Wire)Priti Patel is unlikely to renew Dame Cressida Dick’s contract amid an ongoing row over policing at Sarah Everard’s vigil, it has been reported.
The Met’s Commissioner’s contract expires in April next year and government sources say the home secretary is unlikely to extend it.
There was a public outcry when police were seen pinning women to the ground as crowds gathered at Ms Everard’s vigil at Clapham Common last Saturday.
Sadiq Khan and Ms Patel both requested an independent investigation and Ms Dick was forced to defend her position after facing calls to resign.
Mr Khan said he was “surprised and angry” about what had happened but said on Friday he had “confidence” in Ms Dick.
However a government source told The Times that the Commissioner is unlikely to be granted a contract extension next year.
The source told the newspaper: “Cressida is not seen as having done a great job. The police approach to the vigil and the handling of the Black Lives Matter protests p***ed off a lot of people.
“The general expectation is that her contract won’t be extended.”
The source added that Ms Patel had a “very functional” working relationship with Ms Dick.
On Monday, Ms Dick said she had no intention of resigning and claimed that “what has happened makes me more determined, not less, to lead my organisation”.
Some senior police leaders told the paper they did not believe Ms Dick would even want an extension to her contract.
One said: “She is on a big salary, it’s a hugely demanding job. She is a very good commissioner but it takes a huge toll. It’s a big assumption that she even wants an extension.”
Ms Dick has previously faced criticism for spending £2.5 million on Operation Midland, an investigation into false paedophile claims, and her handling of the Black Lives Matter protests last year.
