Last week, the UK’s top police official announced that the Metropolitan Police would launch a criminal investigation into alleged breaches of Covid-19 regulations at parties involving Downing Street and Whitehall over the past two years.

However, there were accusations that Scotland Yard censored civil servant Sue Gray’s report on the Downing Street parties by removing references to the most serious rule breaches, which would be the focus of its own investigation.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service and emphasized the importance of the Met conducting its investigation without political interference. He hoped the investigation would be transparent and efficient.

The handling of the Downing Street parties scandal by the Met has increased pressure on the police force and its leader, Cressida Dick, following a series of scandals and public relations disasters in the past year.

Despite being named in the Daniel Morgan report for alleged institutional corruption within the Met, Cressida Dick had her tenure extended by two years by Home Secretary Priti Patel. This decision was supported by Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Khan reiterated his support for Dick’s reappointment, stating it was important to hold her accountable. He stressed the role of various oversight bodies in ensuring accountability within the police force.

While acknowledging the challenges faced by the Met, Khan emphasized the importance of supporting the police as they carry out their duties under the principle of policing by consent.

In summary, Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed the need to balance advocacy for the Met with holding them accountable, highlighting the crucial role of oversight bodies in ensuring transparency and accountability in policing.