Finally. Someone who ran the Metropolitan Police that will actually speak to the media. Former Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson appeared on LBC today to give his thoughts on the riots that have spread across the UK. Quick to hit out at the Prime Minister himself, Stephenson was certainly pulling no punches…
Quizzed about his thoughts on the widespread disorder that has led to damaged property and multiple arrests across the country – and the government’s response to it all – the ex-police chief was, in short, rather unimpressed. Suggesting that Cobra meetings are ‘called so that politicians can be seen to be doing something’, Stephenson also told listeners:
I get that politicians have to make strong statements. But on a personal basis I’m not hugely impressed by it. I will be impressed by politicians continuing to support the police in the difficult job they do, but that has not always been the case, has it?… I’m not hugely impressed with politicians using strong phrases to show that they’re in charge of the situation.
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