Category: London News

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Sadiq Turns Heat on Russian Oligarchs in London

Mayor appeals to the government to seize the properties of Russian oligarchs and cronies of Putin. Transparency International estimate that £1.1 billion worth of London property is owned by Russians accused of corruption or links to the Kremlin

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has set out proposals to fight back against the capital’s housing market being used as a playground for international oligarchs, whilst also raising funds to help tackle London’s housing crisis.

Whilst Ministers have promised limited sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK’s light-touch property regulations mean London has become magnet for foreign millionaires and billionaires wishing to hide their assets.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has published pictures of the border service facilities in the Kyiv region that were shot by Russian troops on Thursday Feb. 24, 2022 not long after Russian troops launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine.(Photo:IANS/Twitter)

 “For far too long ministers have turned a blind eye to the use of our capital’s homes as a safe harbour for oligarchs to park their cash, which is having a negative impact on both our international reputation and our local housing market. Now is the time to act,” said the Mayor.  

 “London will always be open to foreign investment and the millions of people from around the world who choose to make our city home. But we must take proactive measures to insist on a greater contribution from overseas buyers, clamp down on those who look to exploit our openness, and use the money to invest in social and other low-cost homes for Londoners.”

Sadiq wants to see the tougher series of levies brought in alongside new rules to reveal who owns London homes. The Mayor would also support the seizure of property assets connected to the allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Transparency International estimate that 100 London properties, worth £1.1 billion are owned by Russians accused of corruption or links to the Kremlin.

It is feared that a lack of transparency in the legal and beneficial ownership of companies and properties could be aiding offences such as tax evasion and money laundering, as well as hiding the assets of those who would come under any possible sanctions regime.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video to social media on Saturday morning showing himself walking around the streets of Kiev after a night of artillery fire in different parts of the city, telling the nation “I’m here”

The Mayor has previously criticised the Government’s failure to deliver on the promise of a register of overseas property ownership and has now set out further measures to charge those who buy property in the UK with no intention of living here and leave them empty while London faces a housing crisis.

As well as the register of overseas ownership, the Mayor is calling for: Seizure of property assets held by allies of President Putin; Raising the amount overseas owners have to pay for leaving their home empty by increasing the council tax ‘empty homes premium’ ; Raising capital gains tax on overseas buyers from 28 per cent to 40 per cent;  and Increasing the taxes paid by overseas companies investing in property by increasing the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings.

City Hall analysis shows these measures, if properly implemented, could raise up to £370m a year, which could then be used to help tackle London’s housing crisis by funding more than 2,500 new council and genuinely affordable homes for Londoners annually. Alongside new supply, these reforms could start to cool London’s overheated property market and make buying a home more achievable and affordable for Londoners.

These new policies would only apply to property owners who are resident overseas, not those who move to London and make the capital their home. An established residency test, such as that introduced as part of the existing stamp duty surcharge on overseas buyers, could be used as the basis for these measures.

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VIDEO: London Hosts Event To Mark Bengali Language Martyr’s Day

A seminar was organised in London to mark 70 years of Bengali Language Martyr’s Day

International Mother Language Day as organised by UNESCO and followed since 21 February 2000 was celebrated in London. A seminar was organised to mark 70 years of Bengali Language Martyr’s Day. Prominent people like Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK HE Saida Muna Tasneem , veteran journalist Sir Mark Tully, Ashis Ray were present. The year 1971 changed the history (and geography) of the subcontinent  but equally changed East London forever. The impact on Britain is still visible as thousands of British Indian restaurants were started and still run by the war-displaced Bangladeshi refugees who came around due to the unrest. Please see the video: Age restriction: 18 plus

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Lib Dems Seek Tough Action on Russian Regime

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey: “The era of Russian interference in this country must come to an end. Much of the legislation needed is ready to go – it must be brought before MPs immediately. Parliament must sit this weekend, day and night if we have to, to pass the necessary measures and impose the most punitive of sanctions upon Putin’s regime.”

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said parliament must sit this weekend to pass measures against Vladmir Putin and his cronies in Moscow,

Commenting following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s address to the nation on Ukraine, Davey said:  “At this dark moment we must renew our commitments of international cooperation and stand with our allies against this horrendous invasion.

 “For too long we in the West have been complacent about the threat which Putin poses to our allies and to the fundamental values which underpin our way of life. No more. We must stand with the people of Ukraine and provide them with humanitarian and military aid, while unleashing the severest of sanctions against Putin and his cronies.

 “The era of Russian interference in this country must come to an end. Much of the legislation needed is ready to go – it must be brought before MPs immediately. Parliament must sit this weekend, day and night if we have to, to pass the necessary measures and impose the most punitive of sanctions upon Putin’s regime.”

 “A terrible human tragedy is now unfolding before our very eyes. We must stand with the people of Ukraine.  Putin’s maniacal ambitions will stop at nothing. The blood of every innocent Ukrainian who perishes in this entirely unprovoked and illegal invasion is on his hands.

 “Let us also not forget the human cost for the Russian people who are now embroiled in a war they did not ask for by a leader they cannot get rid of. It is time to let rip on the most severe of punitive sanctions. That must include an immediate end to the era of Russian interference in our country. Liberal Democrats stand ready to support a special extended session of Parliament to immediately pass the necessary legislation.”

Earlier, Mr Johnson said the UK “cannot and will not just look away” at Russia’s “hideous and barbaric” attack on Ukraine.

The PM said President Vladimir Putin had launched a “vast invasion by land, by sea and by air” without provocation.

He said the UK and allies will launch a “massive package” of sanctions to “hobble” Russia’s economy.

In a pre-recorded TV statement, Mr Johnson stressed that Ukraine was “not some faraway country of which we know little”.

“We have Ukrainian friends in this country, neighbours, co-workers. Ukraine is a country that for decades has enjoyed freedom and democracy and the right to choose its own destiny,” he said.

The prime minister said the UK and the world could not allow that freedom “just to be snuffed out”.

As a result, the UK and its allies would agree a “massive package of economic sanctions” in a bid to “hobble” the Russian economy, Mr Johnson said, before warning that the West would need to cease its dependence on Russian oil and gas.

“Our mission is clear: diplomatically, politically, economically and eventually militarily, this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure,” he said.

Ukrainians hold a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine outside Downing Street There are around 35,000 Ukrainian-born people living in the UK, according to the most-recent ONS data.

Meanwhile the head of the Western defensive alliance Nato, Jens Stoltenberg, condemned the invasion as a “blatant violation” of international law and said he is calling a virtual summit of alliance leaders on Friday to discuss the “serious threat” to security in the region.

“This is a grave moment for the security of Europe. Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine is putting countless lives at risk,” he said.

In a pre-dawn TV statement on Thursday, President Putin said Russia did not plan to occupy Ukraine, but demanded its soldiers lay down their weapons, before warning that Moscow’s response would be “instant” if anyone tried to take on Russia.

READ MORE: UK to stop Russia selling sovereign debt in London

READ MORE: UK inflation rises at fastest rate in 30 years

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London Mayor Urges PM To Continue Free Testing

London Mayor Sadiq Khan

“We cannot have a situation where only the well-off can afford to ‘live with Covid’ safely or one where we’re not keeping an eye on new variants posing a risk to the country, said Mayor…reports Asian Lite News

London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Sajid Javid to continue free testing to avoid another bolt of pandemic.

 “If all restrictions are to be lifted in the safest possible way, the Government must rethink its plans to abandon free testing and ensure there is financial support for those who cannot work from home if they test positive,” the mayor said. “We cannot have a situation where only the well-off can afford to ‘live with Covid’ safely or one where we’re not keeping an eye on new variants posing a risk to the country.

  “Our city has suffered terribly over the last two years and Londoners and London’s businesses are looking forward to our capital’s recovery and life beyond this pandemic. Following the Government dropping all legal Covid restrictions, and in light of falling infection levels in London, it is expected that wearing a face covering will no longer be a condition of carriage on the TfL network.

 “However, we know that face coverings remain a simple, effective measure that give Londoners confidence to travel, and following clear advice from public health advisers, TfL will likely continue to recommend their use on the network.

 “I urge passengers to be considerate of their fellow Londoners and continue to wear a face covering where appropriate unless exempt.”

People are seen at an NHS COVID-19 vaccination center in London, Britain, on March 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

St Patrick’s Day

In another development, Mr Khan unveiled the celebrations planned for St Patrick’s Day in the capital, which will showcase the very best of Irish arts, performance, culture, food and dance.

This year’s theme is one of celebration and bringing the community back together, and Londoners and visitors can look forward to an exciting programme of events happening across the city on March 12th and 13th to mark the festival’s return. Events including busking on the Underground, the iconic parade and vibrant celebrations in Trafalgar Square were postponed for the past two years due to the pandemic but will return to the capital this year.

On Sunday 13th March London will see the return of the spectacular annual parade of Irish marching bands, dancers and pageantry, which will start at 12pm and wind its way from Green Park to Trafalgar Square. This year, to pay tribute to the Irish Londoners who have supported the city throughout the pandemic, 11 key workers will be honoured as Grand Marshals of the famous parade.

Also on Sunday, from 12pm to 6pm, Trafalgar Square will play host to a world-class line up of Irish talent with family-friendly concerts, storytelling, children’s films and youth performances, as well community choirs, schools, dance troupes and more. There will be children’s workshops featuring camogie games, medal making and face painting, and a great selection of food and drinks stalls including world-renowned chef and owner of the Myrtle restaurant in London, Anna Haugh. The main stage is curated by the London Irish Centre, and hosted by Gemma Bradly, will see acts such as Soulé, Xona, Altan and more perform.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted that London’s St Patrick’s Day festival will return to our streets this March, and it is fitting this year’s theme is one of celebration and bringing the community back together. London has the largest Irish population in the UK and St Patrick’s Day provides a wonderful opportunity to honour the spirit of our Irish community and celebrate the enduring strength of relationship between our two countries. Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!”

Ireland’s Ambassador to the UK, Adrian O’Neill said: “During my time as Ambassador, I have witnessed the strength, cohesion and determination of the Irish community here in London and across the country. The challenges of the last two years have proven the resilience of our community, but also shown the ways that we have come together in solidarity—to stay connected with those who were isolated and to support the vulnerable among us. This year’s St Patrick’s Day Festival in London will be a fantastic celebration where we can connect again in person and proudly celebrate our history, heritage and culture, as well as our contemporary community in all its rich diversity. I encourage you to participate and look forward to a wonderful Festival.”

Regional Director for the NHS in London, Andrew Ridley, said: “The dedication and compassion of the Irish staff across our NHS in London has been phenomenal, especially during the past two challenging years. It is testament to the brilliant work of our NHS staff working in our communities, hospitals, GP surgeries and vaccination centres, that Londoners can now celebrate St Patrick’s Day, together, with loved ones.”

Head of Culture at the London Irish Centre, Hannah Pender, said: “‘The London Irish Centre is delighted to be programme partner for the London St Patrick’s Festival 2022. Following the success of our major virtual collaboration in 2021, we are excited to be back in iconic Trafalgar Square to celebrate the very best Irish arts, culture and community. We want to thank the Mayor of London and City Hall for the opportunity to partner on such an exciting and important event for London and all Londoners. Céad míle fáilte – a hundred thousand welcomes to all!”

The Irish Post Managing Editor, Fiona Audley said: “After a two-year hiatus it is great to have the St Patrick’s Festival back in London and we are proud to continue to be the main media partner for this important event. This Mayor’s festival showcases the best of Irish community, culture and heritage in the capital and invites all communities to celebrate that with us. We are excited to welcome the parade back and enjoy the festivities in Trafalgar Square and look forward to seeing everybody there.”

ALSO READ: Johnson promises new package of military aid for Ukraine

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Londoners to pay more for tube, bus

Mayor outlines details of TfL fare changes from March 2022. Fares will rise by RPI+1 (4.8 per cent) overall on 1 March 2022 to help TfL reach financial sustainability. Tube pay as you go fares within Zone 1 will increase by 10p – their first increase since 2016. Bus and tram ‘Hopper’ fare – introduced by the Mayor and allowing unlimited journeys within an hour – will increase by 10p to £1.65.

Mayor Sadiq Khan has outlined details of the fare changes required for TfL services from 1 March 2022, following conditions set in the short-term extension of TfL’s funding agreement with the Government.

Mayor said these changes to fares will help ensure that TfL can reach financial sustainability by April 2023 in line with the long-term objective of the funding agreements, while also ensuring the increase in fares is as affordable as possible for Londoners.

This is only the second time that TfL controlled fares have increased since 2016, after Sadiq froze fares between 2016 and 2021. In the eight years prior to 2016, under the previous Mayor, TfL fares increased regularly and ultimately surged by more than 42 per cent.

While the overall level of fares set by TfL will increase by an equivalent of RPI+1, some individual Tube fares will increase by more or less than that amount owing to rules stating that increases can only be made by 10p increments. Tube fares solely within Zone 1 will increase for the first time in six years, from £2.40 to £2.50. Passengers who travel greater distances on TfL services will see a slight increase to further bring them in line with nearby National Rail fares. However, these increases are still significantly below what any cumulative increase would have been had fares been raised in line with inflation over the last six years.

While single pay as you go fares on Tube, DLR and most TfL-run rail services will increase by RPI+1, bus and tram single fares will increase by 10p to £1.65, and the daily cap will increase by 30p to £4.95, the same price as three single journeys.  As rail revenue is significantly higher than bus and tram revenue, and TfL has budgeted for fares to rise by RPI+1 overall to reach financial sustainability in line with the funding agreements, bus and tram fares will need to increase by the equivalent of RPI+2.7 per cent to achieve the overall rise.

The ‘Hopper’ fare, which was introduced by the Mayor in September 2016, remains in place and will continue to provide meaningful savings for Londoners in offering unlimited bus and tram travel within an hour for the price of a single fare. Since it was introduced, more than 600 million Hopper fare journeys have been. Sadiq has taken action to ensure that all current concessions, including free travel for young people under the age of 18 and discounts for students, apprentices and those on certain benefits also remain in place.

 “Public transport should be affordable to all, and I’ve taken bold action to ensure this since I became Mayor by introducing the unlimited Hopper bus fare and freezing all TfL fares from 2016-2021 – saving the average London household over £200,” said the mayor.

 “Since TfL’s finances were decimated by the pandemic, the Government has set strict conditions as part of the emergency funding deals to keep essential transport services running in London. We have been forced into this position by the Government and the way it continues to refuse to properly fund TfL, but I have done everything in my power to keep fares as affordable as possible.”

Shashi Verma, Director of Strategy at TfL said: “This fares package aims to keep fares as affordable as possible while still ensuring TfL can continue to run clean, green and safe services and support London’s continued economic recovery. Through daily and weekly capping, as well as the Hopper fare and our wide range of concessions, passengers can continue to get the best value fare by using pay as you go with contactless and Oyster.”

ALSO READ-Head of London Police quits

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Boris contacted by police over lockdown parties

The prime minister’s office confirmed in a statement that he had been contacted by police. It comes with tensions boiling in Ukraine, and UK nationals warned to evacuate the country over the possibility of a Russian invasion…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has received a questionnaire from London’s Metropolitan Police as part of the investigation into parties in Downing Street during Covid lockdowns, his office said Saturday.

If he is found to have broken his government’s own Covid rules, the embattled prime minister could be fined and will face even more pressure to stand down from fellow lawmakers already furious at his proximity to the “partygate” affair.

A growing number of lawmakers from his own party are calling for his ouster, and even former leaders have lined up to warn him against attempting to cling to power if he is found to have broken rules.

Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said it would be “very tough” to hang on if the police find that Johnson broke the law, while former Prime Minister John Major accused Johnson and his government of treating the truth as optional and “shredding” the UK’s global reputation.

The prime minister’s office confirmed in a statement that he had been contacted by police. It comes with tensions boiling in Ukraine, and UK nationals warned to evacuate the country over the possibility of a Russian invasion.

Johnson has denied any wrongdoing, but he is alleged to have been at up to six of the 12 events in his 10 Downing St. office and other government buildings that are being investigated by the police.

He has acknowledged attending a “bring your own booze” party in the No 10 garden in May 2020 during the first lockdown, but insisted he believed it would be a work event.

He also allegedly attended a gathering organised by his wife, Carrie, in the official Downing Street residence, during which ABBA songs were reportedly heard.

The police force has written to about 50 people, including the prime minister and his wife, asking for them to account for their activities on the dates under investigation.

The force said questionnaires must be responded to within seven days. They have the same status as information given in an interview under police caution.

ALSO READ-Boris brings in new staffers to move past ‘partygate’ scandal

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Saudha’s Jibanananda Festival returns to East London on 20 February

The festival is bringing renowned academics, poets, writers and performers together to promote the time-winning literature of a great modernist poet in Indian subcontinent at post-Tagorian time, writes Prof. Geetha Upadhyaya

Prof. Geetha Upadhyaya

Jibanananda Festival that celebrates the moving works of a major Bengali poet of 20th Century in India Jibanananda Das is returning to the Rich Mix in East London for the third year on Sunday 20 February at 5pm.

Hosted by a leading institute of South Asian arts – Saudha Society of Poetry and Indian Music – the festival is bringing renowned academics, poets, writers and performers together to promote the time-winning literature of a great modernist poet in Indian subcontinent at post-Tagorian time (Rabindranath Tagore, the first Nobel laureate from the East).

The galaxy of speakers include award-winning poet Prof Oz Harwick from Leeds Trinity University, Professor of Asian history in Exter University Nandini Chatterjee, writer and Jibanananda researcher Dr Shahaduzzaman, fictionist Dr Noor Zaheer, poet and playwright John Farndon and British-Argentine poet Gaby Sambucceti.

They will explore the relevance of Jibananda’s works in the 21st Century from different dimensions and, in addition, will offer a comparative study on his poetry with contemporary poets of other languages of the globe.

ALSO READ: Saudha celebrates centenary of Eliot’s ‘The Waste Land’ and Kazi Nazrul’s ‘The Rebel’

The festival will also stage a unique playlet called Bonolota Sen – A search for beauty. Directed by Ahmed Kaysher, featuring many

Critically acclaimed spoken-word artists Poppy Shahnaz, Soma Das, Manash Chowdhury, Tanjina Nur-E Siddique and Shamsuzzoha will recite from Jibanananda’s poetry, while classical dancers Monidipa Seal and Sharmishtha Pandit will render a haunting visual interpretation of these poems through dance.

In addition, the festival also features music presentations based on Jibanananda’s poetry by a talented singer Amith Dey.

An award-winning photographer Pablo Khaled and Nishat Afza are presenting a visual interpretation of a popular poem by Jibanananda Das, ‘Bonolota Sen’ through a selection of poetic photography.

The director and the founder of Saudha Ahmed Kaysher has been running this festival for the last three years with new contents each time to highlight the essential oeuvre of one of the deprived and ignored voices of world literature in the 20th Century and the response is now tremendous.

This year, with so many intellectual talks, re-interpretation and new performances, the festival will take a new turn.

The Rich Mix, the Gronthee and RadhaRaman Society are collaborating with this festival as partners.

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Priti says new Met chief must tackle policing culture

Priti Patel

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel on Friday said that the new Metropolitan Police commissioner must tackle police culture and conduct.

In a statement the home secretary said “strong and decisive new leadership will be required to restore public confidence” in London’s police force.
Patel had expressed thanks to Dame Cressida Dick, who resigned as Britain’s top cop on Thursday, for her service.

“She was the first woman to hold the post and has exemplified the increasingly diverse nature of our police, demonstrating that all can aspire to hold leadership roles in policing in this country today,” Patel said.

Patel said she wants to “reassure Londoners and people across the country of my commitment to selecting the right leader for the largest police force in the country.”

“Leading the Met is a privilege with enormous and unique responsibilities. The first duty is to protect the public, the people and the streets of our capital, making London a safer place to live, work and visit,” she said.
“The Commissioner is a national leader, with a critical national role in respect of overseeing our counter terrorism capability when there remain a variety of threats out there from people and groups who wish this country harm.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel and Cressida Dick, former Metropolitan Police Commissioner. (Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street)

“This is the biggest leadership role in policing. However, at this particular time, the challenges facing the new Commissioner are stark and could not be more sobering.”

Following a series of appalling and sickening incidents and too many historical cases involving serving Met Police officers, it is clear that strong and decisive and new leadership will be required to restore public confidence in the largest police force in the country, Patel said.

She also urged the public in London and across the entire country to once again have the confidence to trust the integrity and professionalism of the police officers who serve them.

“Policing culture, conduct, attitudes and behaviours have rightly all come under scrutiny and be in no doubt that a new leader must tackle these institutional issues that have brought great shame on elements of policing,” she said.

“I will appoint a Commissioner who will deliver for the public whom our police serve and represent. Beating crime, preventing crime, protecting our citizens, our streets and communities at a time when this government is investing record sums into the police, is paramount.”

“And above all that’s what I – and the public across the country – will want from the country’s most senior police officer: someone focused on the basics of reducing violence in the city, tackling the abuse of women and girls, ridding our streets of drugs, knives and weapons, saving lives and protecting the public from the those who wish to do them harm,” she concluded.

Dick, the first woman to lead the country’s largest police force, had been under pressure over a number of issues that recently generated adverse publicity for the Met.

The Police Chief said her decision followed contact with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan earlier on Thursday.

“It is clear that the Mayor no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership to continue. He has left me no choice but to step aside as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service,” she added in a statement.

Dick said at the Mayor’s request she agreed to stay on for a short period to ensure the stability of the Met and its leadership while arrangements are made for a transition to a new Commissioner.

ALSO READ: Head of London Police quits

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Head of London Police quits

Home Secretary Priti Patel and Cressida Dicks, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner meets firearms officers who were assaulted in an acid attack, at a police station in London. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

Cressida Dick, the first woman to lead the country’s largest police force, had been under pressure over a number of issues that recently generated adverse publicity for the Met … reports LDD newsdesk

Commissioner Cressida Dick, Head of London’s Metropolitan Police (Met), announced Thursday evening that she has resigned as Britain’s top cop.

Cressida Dick, the first woman to lead the country’s largest police force, had been under pressure over a number of issues that recently generated adverse publicity for the Met. The Police Chief said her decision followed contact with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan earlier on Thursday.

  “It is clear that the Mayor no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership to continue. He has left me no choice but to step aside as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service,” she added in a statement.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Dame Cressida “has served her country with great dedication and distinction over many decades”.

The home secretary said the police chief held the role “during challenging times” and that she “exemplified the increasingly diverse nature of our police”.

Susan Hall, leader of the Greater London Assembly Conservatives, said Mr Khan had handled the situation “extremely badly”. She said the resignation made Londoners less safe and left a “void” at the top of the Met.

 Dick said at the Mayor’s request she agreed to stay on for a short period to ensure the stability of the Met and its leadership while arrangements are made for a transition to a new Commissioner.

 She has been at the helm at the Met during a period that saw terrorist attacks, the Grenfell fire, protests, and the pandemic. Dick also acknowledged the impact of a number of events that have harmed the image of the force.

She said the murder by a serving Met police officer of female citizen Sarah Everard, and many other awful cases recently have damaged confidence in police service.

In a statement from City Hall, Khan said urgent changes were required in the Met to root out the racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying, discrimination and misogyny that still exist, and he is not satisfied with the Commissioner’s response.

Earlier this February, a report by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, Britain’s police conduct authority, unveiled evidence of bullying and discrimination within the ranks of Met.

  “Disgraceful behaviour” by police officers, including racism, misogyny, harassment and the exchange of offensive social media messages, was highlighted in the report.

 Dame Cressida, the first woman to lead the biggest UK police force, also faced criticism over the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met officer last year. Beyond London, the Met is also responsible for national counter-terrorism policing.

Her successor will be appointed by the home secretary, in consultation with the mayor of London. Contenders include Matt Jukes and Neil Basu, who are both assistant Met commissioners.

Dame Cressida said she had “agreed to stay for a short period to ensure the stability of the Met”.

Former Met Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson told LBC “we should be casting the net as wide as possible” to find the best candidate for the role, including outside policing.

Speaking on BBC London hours before her departure was announced, Dame Cressida insisted that she had “absolutely no intention” of quitting, and that she was “seething angry” about the culture at Charing Cross police station, which was exposed by the police watchdog. But Mr Khan said he was “not satisfied” with Dame Cressida’s response to the scale of change required to “root out” racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying and misogyny in the Met.

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Brexit hits London business

Brexit hits British business with ‘increased costs, paperwork and border delays’ … reports LDD Newsdesk

Britain’s post-Brexit plans to have the world’s most effective border by 2025 were described by a House of Commons committee as “a noteworthy ambition” but one that is hard to achieve due to a lack of concrete measures.

In a hard-hitting report, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday said there has been a clear increase in costs, paperwork and border delays for British business since Britain left the European Union (EU), Xinhua news agency reported.

“It has not helped by repeated delays to a new import regime,” the Committee added.

Since the end of the transition period on December 31, 2020, when Britain finally left the bloc, the country’s trade volumes have been suppressed by the impact of Covid-19 and wider global pressures, it said.

“The government has ambitious plans to create ‘the most effective border in the world’ by 2025. While this is a noteworthy ambition, it is optimistic, given where things stand today and we are not convinced that it is underpinned by a detailed plan to deliver it,” the report said.

The PAC said if cross-border passenger volumes recover during 2022 as the pandemic subsides, there is potential for disruption at the border with the EU. Cross-Channel volumes have been at a fraction of normal levels because of the pandemic.

It will be exacerbated, warned the committee, by “further checks at ports as part of the EU’s new Entry and Exit system”. This is especially likely at ports like the English port of Dover where EU officials carry out border checks on the British side.

Politician Meg Hillier, Chair of the committee, said: “One of the great promises of Brexit was freeing British businesses to give them the headroom to maximise their productivity and contribution to the economy — even more desperately needed now on the long road to recovery from the pandemic. Yet the only detectable impact so far is increased costs, paperwork and border delays.”

“In our view, there is much more work the government should be doing in the short term to understand and minimise the current burden on those trading with the EU and to have a border in place which is operating effectively without further delays or temporary measures,” Hillier added.

Meanwhile, over half of all firms engaging in importing business from the European Union (EU) to Britain have found the new border controls “challenging”, a new survey has revealed.

 The full customs control, as agreed in Brexit deals, requests that British importers make a full customs declaration on goods entering the UK since January 1, 2022, as the once-introduced 175-day cushion period is due, reports Xinhua news agency.

 Some controls, including certificates and physical checks on agri-foods and plant imports, are being postponed till July 1 this year.

  Twenty-two per cent of the involved businesses responded that the controls are “very challenging”, according to the survey by the Institute of Directors.

  Another 36 per cent considered them “quite challenging”, it added.

 Small businesses have been disproportionately hit, according to the survey. Thirty-one per cent of them reported “very challenging”, compared to 12 per cent of medium-sized ones and only 7 per cent of larger ones.

  “Our members have told us these challenges are mainly due to added administration and paperwork, which in many cases means taking on extra costs,” said Emma Rowland, policy advisor at the organisation.

  Smaller businesses “do not have the capacity that larger businesses do to shoulder this burden, both in terms of time and resource”, she said.

  Rowland urged the government to ramp up awareness and resources for small and medium-sized enterprises ahead of additional controls coming later this year.

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