Former Met police commissioner Ian Blair dies aged 72

Ian Blair joined the police under a graduate scheme in 1974. Photograph: Richard Saker/The Guardian

Ian Blair, who as commissioner of the Metropolitan police led the force through some of its most tumultuous and troubled times, has died aged 72.

Blair was the first commissioner in more than 100 years to resign from his office and was hailed by the current Met commissioner as “one of the most influential police leaders of recent decades”.