A police chief who was effectively ‘sacked’ as chief constable of Scotland’s single force is taking temporary charge of the Met.
Sir Stephen House, who led Police Scotland during three turbulent years, will stand in when Dame Cressida Dick leaves in April.
House became the single force’s first chief constable in 2012 after leading the legacy Strathclyde force.
However, his period in charge was marred by controversy over its policy on firearms and officers’ use of stop and search.
He also came under intense pressure after Police Scotland took days to respond to a fatal car crash on the M9.
Lamara Bell later died in hospital, while partner John Yuill was already dead when officers finally attended the crash scene.
Police Scotland issued an "unreserved" apology for its failings.
In a book by journalists David Clegg and Kieran Andrews, they wrote of House's departure:
“At a meeting in the first minister’s office at Holyrood in August 2015, House was effectively dismissed despite the employment of police officers, even those at the top of the force, not being a matter for politicians as part of efforts to maintain operational independence.”
They also quoted a former senior aide to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Noel Doan, who claimed House lost his job over the M9 scandal.
Dolan said: “Stephen House essentially was sacked. He resigned but he essentially was sacked for a pretty poor reason.
"The main thing was the two people who died on the M9. Stephen House was held responsible for the behaviour of some junior call centre respondent because the police in central regional had f***ed it up. So there was a lot of pressure on him."
Dick resigned as Commissioner of the Met earlier this year after falling out with London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
House, currently Deputy Commissioner, will stand in after she departs.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Dame Cressida Dick was at the helm of the Met during extremely tough times, with terror attacks and the pandemic among the challenges she faced. Her dedication to protecting London and Londoners has helped drive down serious violence in the city and for that in particular she deserves our gratitude.
“Sir Steve House, her current deputy, will provide the stability and continuity the force needs as we focus on appointing the right person to lead the country’s largest force and make London an even safer place to live, work and visit.”
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