Sir Ian Warwick Blair, QPM (born 19 March 1953) is Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police (head of the Metropolitan Police Service). His position is considered to be the most senior position in the police forces of the UK, and as such he is referred to frequently in the press as Britain's Top Police Officer. However, he only has authority over the Metropolitan Police, as Chief Constables have with other forces. is the 78th day of the year (79th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Queens Police Medal is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom for distinguished service or gallantry. ... is the 78th day of the year (79th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (usually just referred to as the Metropolitan Police Commissioner) is the head of the Metropolitan Police Service in London. ... The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is the name currently used by the territorial police force which is responsible for Greater London other than the City of London (the responsibility of the City of London Police). ...

Education and early career

After attending Wrekin College, Shropshire and Harvard High School, Los Angeles Ian Blair read English Language and English Literature at Christ Church, Oxford. He was awarded a lower-second-class degree.^{[citation needed]} York House, Wrekin College Wrekin College is a co-educational independent school located in Wellington, Shropshire, England. ... Shropshire (pronounced /, -/), alternatively known as Salop[6] or abbreviated Shrops[7], is a county in the West Midlands of England. ... Harvard-Westlake School is a secular, independent, coeducational college preparatory day school located in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California with approximately 1,600 students enrolled in grades 7 through 12. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... and of the Christ Church College name Christ Church Latin name Ædes Christi Named after Jesus Christ Established 1546 Sister college Trinity College, Cambridge Dean The Very Revd Christopher Andrew Lewis JCR president Laura Ellis Undergraduates 426 GCR president Tim Benjamin Graduates 154 Location of Christ Church within central Oxford... The University of Oxford (usually abbreviated as Oxon. ...

He commenced his police career in 1974 as a constable in the Soho area of London. He served in both uniform and CID in central London before leaving the Met in 1991 to be staff officer in HM Inspectorate of Constabulary. For the painter, see John Constable. ... Cast-iron architecture in Greene Street SoHo is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan. ... Charles Vincent, founder of the Metropolitan Police CID The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is the branch of all British Police and many other Commonwealth police forces to which plain clothes detectives belong. ... Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary is the name used for bodies responsible inspection of police forces in the United Kingdom. ...

In 1994, he moved to Thames Valley Police as Assistant Chief Constable, becoming Deputy Chief Constable there in 1997. He was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 1999 and received a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2003 for services to the Police. Thames Valley Police is one of the largest Home Office police services in England and the largest non-metropolitan one, covering 2200 sq mi (5,700 km²) and a population of 2. ... There are normally between one and four assistant chief constables in British police forces, depending upon force size and whether or not civilians have been appointed at chief officer level. ... The rank of deputy chief constable has gone through several changes in the last twenty years. ... The Queens Police Medal is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom for distinguished service or gallantry. ... The dignity of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. ... The honours system of the United Kingdom is a means of rewarding personal bravery, achievement or service to the country. ...

Formerly Deputy Commissioner, and before that Chief Constable of Surrey Police, he took up his current post on 1 February 2005, taking over from Sir John Stevens (now Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington). The Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (usually just called the Deputy Commissioner) is the second-in-command of the London Metropolitan Police, ranking below the Commissioner and above the Assistant Commissioners. ... Chief Constable is the title given to the commanding officer of every territorial police force in the United Kingdom except the two responsible for Greater London. ... Surrey Police is the Home Office police force the county of Surrey in the south of England The force is lead by Chief Constable Bob Quick and has its headquarters at Mount Browne, Guildford, Surrey. ... is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... John Arthur Stevens, Baron Stevens of Kirkwhelpington, QPM, DL, FRSA (born 21 October 1942) was Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (head of the Metropolitan Police Service) from 2000 until 2005. ...

Jean Charles de Menezes

Main article: Jean Charles de Menezes

Blair's public profile rose considerably when he issued statements during the London bombings on July 7 and 21, 2005. Jean Charles de Menezes (7 January 1978–22 July 2005) was a Brazilian national living in the Tulse Hill area of south London. ... The 7 July 2005 London bombings (also called the 7/7 bombings) were a series of coordinated terrorist bomb blasts that hit Londons public transport system during the morning rush hour. ... Wikinews has news related to: Four small explosions strike Londons transport system On 21 July 2005, four attempted bomb attacks disrupted part of Londons public transport system two weeks after the 7 July 2005 London bombings. ...

Sir Ian was the Metropolitan Police Commissioner at the time of the death of the Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes. After the shooting, he telephoned the Chairman of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and wrote a letter to the Home Office stating that "the shooting that has just occurred at Stockwell is not to be referred to the IPCC and that they will be given no access to the scene at the present time".^[1] In the UK police shootings are routinely investigated by the IPCC. He also made a false statement claiming that a warning had been issued prior to the shooting. Demands have been made for his resignation especially by Alessandro Pereira, a cousin of Menezes. The IPCC held an investigation into the false statements, and allegations of attempts to delay an inquiry. On 2nd August 2007 the IPCC announced its findings that the allegations against Blair couldn't be substantiated, instead placing the blame for misleading the public on Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman, who had failed to report his suspicions that an innocent man had been killed, and had released contradictory statements to the press.^[2] Jean Charles de Menezes (7 January 1978–22 July 2005) was a Brazilian national living in the Tulse Hill area of south London. ... The Independent Police Complaints Commission is a UK organisation tasked with overseeing and investigating complaints against UK police forces. ... Alessandro Pereira is a cousin of Jean Charles de Menezes who has demanded justice for the killing of his cousin by London Police. ... Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, usually just called Assistant Commissioner (AC), is today the third highest rank in the London Metropolitan Police, ranking below Deputy Commissioner and above Deputy Assistant Commissioner. ...

Following the discovery that de Menezes was not in fact a suspected suicide bomber, Blair apparently considered resigning but quickly came to the decision to remain in office, "because the big job is to defend this country against terrorism and that's what I'm here to do". He may however come under further pressure when the IPPC report is published, and he has admitted that his decision would depend "on the level of condemnation".^[3] A suicide bombing is a bomb attack on people or property, committed by a person who knows the explosion will cause his or her own death in addition to the attacks primary purpose (see suicide, suicide weapons). ...

Blair, or the Metropolitan Police, may face action for libel from one of his Deputy Assistant Commissioners, Brian Paddick. Paddick told the IPCC that a member of Sir Ian's private office team believed the wrong man had been targeted just six hours after the shooting. When this allegation became public following an unauthorised disclosure, Scotland Yard issued a statement claiming that the officer alleged to have believed this (Paddick) "has categorically denied this in his interview with, and statement to, the IPCC investigators". The statement continued that they "were satisfied that whatever the reasons for this suggestion being made, it is simply not true". Paddick's interpretation of this statement was that it accused him of lying.^[4] The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (usually just referred to as the Metropolitan Police Commissioner or, more colloquially, as the Met Commissioner) is the head of the Metropolitan Police Service in London. ... Deputy Assistant Commissioner Brian Paddick is a senior officer in the Metropolitan Police in London. ... New Scotland Yard, London New Scotland Yard, it blowwsssss often referred to simply as Scotland Yard or The Yard, is the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service, responsible for policing Greater London (although not the City of London itself). ...

On 28 March 2006, Paddick accepted a statement from the Metropolitan Police that it "did not intend to imply" a senior officer had misled the probe into the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes. In a statement the Metropolitan Police said "any misunderstanding is regretted" and that Paddick had accepted its "clarification" and considered the matter closed.^[5] is the 87th day of the year (88th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In June 2006, a leaked copy of the Independent Police Complaints Commission report sparked further criticism and calls to quit.^[6] The Independent Police Complaints Commission is a UK organisation tasked with overseeing and investigating complaints against UK police forces. ...

Metropolitan Police guilty of 'catastrophic errors'

On 1 November 2007, a jury delivered a damning verdict that found New Scotland Yard guilty under health and safety laws. The presiding judge, Mr Justice Henriques, highlighted 19 "catastrophic errors" in the operation,^[7] saying that there had been "fundamental failures to carry out a planned operation in a safe and reasonable way".^[8] Ian Blair, immediately after the verdict was delivered, read a statement to the press, saying that there was "no evidence at all of systematic failure" and refusing to stand down,^[9] despite (among others) many MPs of the Conservative and Liberal Democrats parties calling for his resignation.^[10][11] The day after, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis wrote a letter to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith formally calling for his resignation.^[12] is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

On 7 November members of the London Assembly passed ^[13] a vote of no confidence in Ian Blair by a large majority of fifteen votes to eight. Blair again insisted that he would not resign. The London Assembly is an elected body that supervises the Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London. ... A Motion of No Confidence, also called Motion of Non Confidence is a parliamentary motion traditionally put before a parliament by the opposition in the hope of defeating or embarrassing a government. ...

Further controversies

November 2005, detention without charge

Blair became involved in allegations of the police being "politicised" when he and other senior police officers were known to have lobbied MPs to support Government proposals to hold terrorist suspects for 90 days.^[14]

January 2006, racism in the media

In January 2006 he attracted considerable controversy when he described the media as institutionally racist^[15] (a charge that has also been levelled at the police) for its allegedly unbalanced coverage of crimes against white people, such as in the Murder of Tom ap Rhys Pryce as compared to that given to crimes against those from ethnic minorities.^[16] As an example had referred to the murder of two young girls in Soham in 2002. He said "almost nobody" understood why it became such a big story. However, he was forced to issue a hurried apology to the parents of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.^[17] Institutional racism (or structural racism or systemic racism) is a theoretical form of racism that is supposed to occur in institutions such as public bodies and corporations, including universities. ... Thomas ap Rhys Pryce (October 1974 - 12 January 2006) was a 31 year old lawyer robbed and murdered by two teenagers as he made his way home in Kensal Green, northwest London, England, on the evening of 12 January 2006. ... For the Sanskrit word Soham Soham is a small town in the English county of Cambridgeshire. ... The Soham murders were the murders by Ian Huntley of two ten-year-old girls (Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman) in Soham, a small town in Cambridgeshire, England, on August 4, 2002. ... The Soham murders were the murders by Ian Huntley of two ten-year-old girls (Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman) in Soham, a small town in Cambridgeshire, England, on August 4, 2002. ...

March 2006, secret telephone recordings

In March 2006, pressure was again put on Sir Ian to resign after it was revealed that in Autumn 2005 he had secretly taped several telephone conversations, most notably with the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith.^[18] Although Blair received widespread criticism, the chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, while describing his actions as "totally unacceptable", said it was not a resigning matter.^[19] Much of the latest furore may be attributed to Blair's recent track record of courting controversy with his publicly expressed views. In his defence it has been pointed out that the recording was not illegal and it was said to be simply to enable an accurate record to be taken for him in the absence of a note taker.^[20] In most common law jurisdictions, the Attorney General is the main legal adviser to the government, and in some jurisdictions may in addition have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions. ... Peter Henry Goldsmith, Baron Goldsmith, PC, is the current Attorney General of England and Wales. ... The Metropolitan Police Authority is the police authority responsible for supervising the Metropolitan Police Service, the police force for Greater London. ...

March 2006, police merger

Blair has stated that he would prefer to see a single police force for Greater London, an opinion shared by Ken Livingstone, with the functions of both the City of London Police and the British Transport Police absorbed by the Metropolitan Police.^[21] Already, the duties and functions of one police force (the Royal Parks Constabulary) have been taken by the Met. However, both the City of London Police^[22] and BTP^[23] have expressed their strong objections to this proposal, while the Home Office has stated that reorganisation of policing in London is not on their agenda. The publication of reviews into the operation of the British Transport Police,^[24] and the national review of fraud by the Attorney General,^[25] combined with the ending of the police merger proposals for England and Wales, appear to rule out any possibility of police mergers in London for the foreseeable future. Greater London is the top-level administrative subdivision covering London, England. ... Kenneth Robert Livingstone (born June 17, 1945) is an English politician who became Mayor of London on the creation of the post in 2000. ... City Police Mounted Section officer The City of London Police is the Home Office police force responsible for the City of London, including the Middle and Inner Temple. ... The British Transport Police (BTP) is a non-Home Office national police service responsible for policing the railway system throughout Great Britain. ... The Royal Parks Constabulary (RPC) is the police force formerly responsible for the Royal Parks in London and a number of other locations in Greater London, England and Edinburgh, Scotland; it now only exists in Scotland as part of Historic Scotland. ...

May 2006, Brian Haw

Blair received further criticism when 78 police officers were involved in an operation to confiscate placards displayed by protester Brian Haw. After he initially told the Metropolitan Police Authority that the operation had cost £7,200, it later emerged that it had in fact cost £27,000.^[26] Brian Haw. ... The Metropolitan Police Authority is the police authority responsible for supervising the Metropolitan Police Service, the police force for Greater London. ...

June 2006, London terror raid

After the failure of the raid in Forest Gate, in June 2006 several sources once again called on Ian Blair to resign. Prime Minister Tony Blair confirmed his support for the Commissioner.^[27] // The raid Early on Friday, June 2, 2006, police raided two houses on Landsdown Road, Forest Gate, London, acting on intelligence that there was a chemical weapon located at the premises[1]. Under the authority of the Terrorism Act, they arrested Mohammed Abdul Kahar, 23 and Abdul Koyair, 20, who...

August 2006, comments on safety in London

In comments to The Times,^[28] Ian Blair claimed that the Haringey borough of London is safe enough to leave doors unlocked. However, Metropolitan Police Authority member Damian Hockney has described Sir Ian's remarks as "truly extraordinary".^[29] The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom (and the Kingdom of Great Britain before the United Kingdom existed) since 1788 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. ... The London Borough of Haringey is a north London borough. ... Damian Hockney is a British politician and the leader of the One London group on the London Assembly. ...

December 2006, comments on Second World War

In a radio 4 interview^[30] Ian Blair stated that Islamic terrorism "is a far graver threat in terms of civilians than either the Cold War or the Second World War". An estimated 67,800 British civilians and 382,600 soldiers were killed in World War II. During the Cold War British cities faced the threat of nuclear attack by the Soviet Union. Military and civilian deaths during World War II for the Allied and the Axis Powers. ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ...

January 2007, refusal by Muslim police officer to shake hands

It emerged on 21 January 2007 that, at a passing-out ceremony of the Metropolitan Police held in December 2006, an unnamed female Muslim police officer refused to shake hands with Ian Blair on religious grounds. She also refused to have a picture taken with him, for fear of its being used for "propaganda purposes". According to Scotland Yard, Ian Blair questioned the validity of her refusal.^[31][32] is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

March 2007, differing accounts of events in 1975

The Guardian published on 30 March 2007 a story detailing inconsistencies between an account Blair gave of his involvement in the Balcombe Street Siege on the night of December 6, 1975, and the recollections of others involved at the time. In a 2006 interview, Sir Ian had stated "We turned the corner, and there is the car," he recalled. "It was a very defining moment. I think I spent the next half an hour pretending to be a bush. They got out of the car and started firing at us. It is an interesting experience being fired at when you have absolutely nothing to fire back with ... I loved it. I loved the job." For other uses, see Guardian. ... is the 89th day of the year (90th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... The Balcombe Street Siege was an incident involving members of the Provisional IRA (Irish Republican Army) and the London Metropolitan Police lasting from December 6 to December 12, 1975. ... is the 340th day of the year (341st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Steve Moysey, a U.S.-based British academic, was puzzled by apparent inconsistencies and contacted John Purnell (who with his partner Phil McVeigh were the first policemen to confront the Balcombe Street gang), who said: "I've never for one second associated Ian Blair with Balcombe Street in any shape or form, and his account of seeing [the terrorists] get out of the car and being shot at as they got out of the car is totally impossible." Blair admitted he had not personally seen the IRA men getting out of their car and opening fire, and stated "I didn't see it and I didn't say I saw it." The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Irish: Óglaigh na hÉireann) (IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the Army or the RA.[2]) is an Irish Republican, left wing[3] paramilitary organisation that, until the Belfast Agreement, sought to end Northern...

He also added that he had briefly joined the car chase after encountering the IRA car in Park Street near the original shooting. "We turned into Park Street and there were two or three vehicles in front of us going extremely fast." He believed one was the "bandit car" and another may have been a taxi, but Sir Ian and his sergeant were not able to keep up "because we were driving a Hillman Hunter which has a top speed of 25mph minus". The actual top speed of the least powerful Hillman Hunter in 1975 was 83mph and the top speed of a 70s-era taxi was 60mph. According to Purnell: "There was no chase. It was just going along at a normal speed. [The IRA men] actually said later they didn't know they were being followed."^[33] 1974 Sunbeam Rapier 1975 Humber Sceptre The Hillman Hunter was an automobile produced under the Hillman marque by the Rootes Group (later Chrysler Europe) from 1966 to 1979. ...

Being drunk at public events

An article by GLA Member Brian Coleman entitled "Politics and alcohol" for the New Statesman in August 2007 made allegations that Sir Ian Blair was "somewhat the worse for wear at a number of official functions" and "needed assistance from his protection officers to manage the stairs".[3]

References

is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 214th day of the year (215th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 214th day of the year (215th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... is the 265th day of the year (266th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... is the 87th day of the year (88th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ... is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... The Financial Times (FT) is a British international business newspaper. ... is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... The Daily Mail and its Sunday edition the Mail on Sunday are British newspapers, first published in 1896. ... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... is the 307th day of the year (308th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... is the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... is the 73rd day of the year (74th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Association of London Government (ALG) is the local government association for London, bringing together representatives of the 32 London Boroughs and the Corporation of London. ... is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The International Herald Tribune is a widely read English language international newspaper. ... is the 79th day of the year (80th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Guardian. ... is the 151st day of the year (152nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom (and the Kingdom of Great Britain before the United Kingdom existed) since 1788 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. ... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ... is the 357th day of the year (358th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 89th day of the year (90th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

External links

• Sir Ian Blair profile at BBC News
• Biography on the Metropolitan Police website