Contrary to Mayor Johnson Liberal Democrat AM Dee Doocey, a member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, is unhappy with the Met chief's dramatic thrust against his rebellious assistant. In a statement she declares herself "stunned" by Sir Ian's move. The background is the relevant Met committee deciding that although Ghaffur might have a misconduct case to answer - thanks to his famous press conference - there were no grounds for suspending him. Doocey is not impressed that Sir Ian has found a different way of detaching Ghaffur from organising security for the 2012 Olympics because he was "undermining confidence in it." She says:
"The Commissioner hasn't produced a shred of evidence to prove this and I'd suggest there's a much larger negative impact by his own continuing tenure at the top of the Met, which has been mired in controversy after controversy."
Fellow Lib Dem and former senior Met officer Brian Paddick - the party's 2008 mayoral candidate, of course - has commented unfavourably too. "For Ian Blair to allow the situation to reach the stage it has raises questions about his ability to lead and manage," says Paddick of his former boss. "Whatever the merits of the case, blame for the damage done to the Metropolitan Police has to land at his door."
It's tempting to speculate that Mayor Johnson rather envies the freedom with which these Lib Dems have spoken their minds. We must strive to resist temptation, though, mustn't we?
